China and Oman share a rich history of friendship dating back centuries. Approximately 1,200 years ago, during the Tang Dynasty, Abu Obeid, the legendary Omani navigator believed to be the inspiration for Sinbad in the famous tales of ‘One Thousand and One Nights,’ embarked on a remarkable journey. Setting sail from Oman aboard the wooden sailing ship ‘Sohar,’ Abu Obeid navigated the seas for over seven months, eventually arriving in south China’s Guangzhou. This captivating tale has truly left a lasting impression on the minds of the Chinese people.
During the Ming Dynasty, another figure Zheng He further strengthened the ties. His fleet made four visits to Salalah, a city located in the Dhofar Governorate. The fleet transported Chinese porcelain, silk, tea, and other commodities to Oman, and brought back frankincense and many other spices to China.
In November 1980, a replica of the historic wooden ship ‘Sohar’ embarked on a voyage retracing the path of Omani navigator Abu Obeid. The vessel left Oman and arrived in Guangzhou the following year, which was warmly received by Chinese people.
In April 2008, the Beijing Olympic torch was successfully carried in Muscat. Symbolising the friendship between the two countries, the relay started at the Al Bustan roundabout in the eastern part of the coastal city, where lies the replica of the ‘Sohar’. Muscat was the only Middle East city on the Beijing Olympic torch relay route.
In June 2023, to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Oman, a sculpture named ‘Zheng He Memorial Monument’ was completed here. In Guangzhou, more than 5,000 kilometres away, there is also a Sohar sailboat memorial monument, commemorating the voyage of Abu Obeid. These two monuments symbolise the millennium-long friendship between China and Oman.
As part of Oman’s Independent Power Projects (IPPs) initiative, aimed at generating electricity through renewable energy sources, this project stands yet another affirmation of the enduring collaboration between China and Oman.
On March 16, the GIS building roofing work for the booster station of Oman Manah II Solar power project was completed, 23 days ahead of schedule. Constructed by Shanxi Institute of China National Energy Construction Corporation (CNEC), the project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 340,000 tonnes per year, which will greatly alleviate the pressure on the power grid in the Manah region and the surrounding areas.
Since the establishment of China-Oman diplomatic relations in 1978, the friendship has evolved significantly and become more diversified from the earlier Maritime Silk Road, With achievements in economic trade, energy, and cultural exchanges, the two countries elevated their partnership to a strategic level in 2018, charting a new era.
In economic trade, China stands as Oman’s largest trading partner, while Oman ranks fourth among Arab nations in trade with China. Moreover, China serves as Oman’s primary destination for crude oil exports. China’s exports to Oman primarily encompass machinery and electronic products, steel and its derivatives, high-tech goods, and textiles, while it imports crude oil from Oman.
Oman has actively embraced the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and stands among the founding members of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
In May 2018, China and Oman agreed to align their development strategies and prioritize cooperation efforts in such areas as exploitation of energy resources, chemical industry, manufacturing, and marine industries.
In 2021, Oman Youth Entrepreneurship Base Park was launched in the Oman-China Wholesale City in Barka. It has already attracted over ten local small and medium enterprises to set up shop in the entrepreneurial base.
The China-Oman (Duqm) Industrial Park stands as another prime model of win-win cooperation. According to the Secretariat of the China-Arab States Expo, it offers exemption from value-added tax, corporate income tax, and import and export tariffs for 30 years. The park boasts a remarkable increase in comprehensive profit margins compared to other overseas parks, with a rise of 10 to 17 per cent.
The cultural exchanges have been strengthened. In December 2021, the ‘Sino-Arab Youth Exchange Week on Digital Culture Industry’ was successfully held in Oman, in which young people exchanged views on cooperation in the digital industry, e-sports, music, photography.
In 2021, the significant ‘Oman Vision 2040’ took effect on January 1 and runs through December 31, 2040.
Outlining three development pillars, the vision has many points of connection with the eight major steps that China proposed to support high-quality Belt and Road Cooperation, including economic and trade exchanges, green development, and cultural exchanges. It is believed that with a robust foundation for cooperation, the ship of friendship between China and Oman will sail steadily and far.
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