Iran, Oman Agree on New Entry and Exit Routes for Hormuz Strait

Iran and Oman have reached an agreement on the details of new entry and exit routes for the Strait of Hormuz, and will present the outcome of their consultations to Gulf countries at a regional meeting in Muscat on Monday, Iranian officials said on Saturday.

According to a source close to Iran's negotiating team cited by the semi‑official Tasnim news agency, the understanding was reached after intensive technical and diplomatic talks that culminated in a final agreement in late August. Under the agreement, the Gulf's entry route lies entirely within Iran's territorial waters, and a portion of the exit route also falls within Iranian territorial waters. The source said the route would operate under Iranian arrangements and that the waterway's southern route will be closed once the new system becomes operational, noting that the United States had insisted the southern route must be opened.

The source stressed that the understanding does not mean that the Strait of Hormuz will be opened. Iran has seven conditions for reopening the waterway and has conveyed them to the United States. It added that the waterway will remain closed unless those conditions are implemented, with reopening depending entirely on U.S. behaviour.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei announced on Friday that the foreign ministers of Gulf littoral states are scheduled to meet in Oman on Monday to exchange views on regional issues, including the Iran‑Oman talks on designating safe routes in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to Al Jazeera on Saturday, Baghaei said the gathering would “hopefully” be attended by foreign ministers from Gulf states as well as Iran and Iraq.

“As part of the agenda, we are going to brief the delegations about the results of the Iran and Oman consultations regarding the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said, adding that the two countries had conducted the consultations as “the two coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz.”

Late last month, Iran and Oman said in a joint statement that they had exchanged views on a proposed phased framework that includes establishing a temporary joint shipping corridor in the strait.

Following U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, Tehran restricted passage through the strategic waterway, while U.S. forces imposed a naval blockade targeting vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports.

The Strait of Hormuz, linking the Gulf with the Arabian Sea, is one of the world’s most important routes for oil and gas shipments. Oman and Iran sit on opposite sides of the strait and have maintained consultations over maritime security and navigation in the strategic waterway. ■

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Xi and Modi Meet on BRICS Summit Sidelines, Agree China and India Should Be Partners

On Saturday, September 12, 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, to conduct a candid and in‑depth exchange of views that resulted in an agreement that China and India should be partners.

Xi said that China has always approached its relations with India from a strategic height and with a long‑term perspective. He noted that he has met with Modi twice over the past two years, guiding bilateral relations from a new start toward further improvement. Xi added that institutional exchanges between the two countries have gradually resumed, the list of cooperation areas has continued to grow, and bilateral trade has reached a new record high.

Xi emphasized that such hard‑won progress should be cherished. He pointed out that China and India have different national conditions but can draw on each other's strengths, support one another, and pursue common development. Amid a turbulent international landscape, he reminded that, as the world’s two most populous countries and important members of the Global South, both nations shoulder significant responsibilities.

He called on both sides to keep the future of humanity and the well‑being of peoples in mind, to work together to promote high‑quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, and to contribute more positive energy to world peace, stability, development and prosperity. Xi underscored that China and India are partners for cooperation, not rivals, and that they provide development opportunities for each other rather than pose threats.

Xi urged the two sides to focus on development as their greatest common denominator, to strengthen friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation, and to expand cooperation in people‑to‑people exchanges, direct flights and other areas to strengthen public support for bilateral relations. He also called for balancing and addressing each other’s economic and trade concerns to promote a sound and stable development of bilateral economic and trade ties. Xi stressed the need for political wisdom of mutual respect and understanding to overcome disruptions, pursue parallel progress in bilateral ties and border issues, and maintain peace and tranquility in border areas.

He urged China and India to promote multilateral cooperation with openness and inclusiveness, to support each other as rotating chair of the BRICS, to strengthen coordination within the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Group of 20, to stand together in addressing global challenges, and to uphold international fairness and justice.

Modi said that he has held several productive meetings with Xi, guiding India‑China relations toward a positive direction that serves the common interests of the more than 2.8 billion people of both countries. He noted that the two major civilizations of India and China have, over thousands of years, learned from each other through exchanges and moved forward hand in hand. Modi affirmed that India always views India‑China relations from a strategic height and a long‑term perspective, is willing to be a partner rather than a rival, and regards each other’s development as an opportunity rather than a challenge.

Modi highlighted India’s independent foreign policy, stating that the development of its relations with China is not subject to the influence of any third party. He reiterated India’s unchanged positions on Taiwan and Xizang, and that it does not allow any force to engage in anti‑China activities in India. Modi expressed readiness to maintain high‑level exchanges on the basis of mutual respect and trust, to strengthen strategic communication, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, and enhance people‑to‑people exchanges. He said the two sides should work together to safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas.

India thanked China for its support for hosting the BRICS summit and pledged full support for China’s assuming the BRICS chairmanship next year. Modi said India is ready to closely coordinate and cooperate with China to jointly strengthen cooperation among Global South countries, promote a more multipolar world and global economic growth, and serve as a force for stability and progress in a turbulent world.

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Xi Jinping Delivers Key Speech on 20th Anniversary of BRICS at Summit in New Delhi

President Xi Jinping addressed the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, on September 12, 2026, marking the 20th anniversary of the BRICS cooperation platform. Speaking at Session I of the summit, Xi thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government for the thoughtful arrangements and expressed pleasure at joining his counterparts in the global South.

The President highlighted two decades of self‑reliance and self‑strengthening by BRICS countries, noting that the bloc has become the most influential cooperation platform for emerging markets and developing countries. He praised the group’s resilience through global challenges such as the financial crisis, the COVID‑19 pandemic, climate change, and other crises, emphasizing that BRICS has consistently defended the common interests of the Global South and contributed stability and positive energy to the world.

Xi pointed out that rapid, unprecedented changes are accelerating worldwide, with the Global South gaining strength and a multipolar world emerging. He warned against rising unilateralism and power politics that undermine multilateralism and the international order, and noted growing deficits in peace, development, security, and governance. To address these gaps and build a better world, he introduced four initiatives: the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative. He urged BRICS to lead as a pioneer, steering the international order toward greater justice and equity and working together to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

In discussing innovation-driven development, Xi highlighted the rapid breakthroughs in the new round of scientific and technological revolution, particularly artificial intelligence (AI). He called for BRICS countries to maintain initiative in AI cooperation, strengthen collaboration, and promote openness and sharing. He noted China’s recent launch of the World AI Cooperation Organization and the development of international AI application cooperation centres with BRICS and other partners, presenting these as vital platforms for deeper AI collaboration. Xi proposed the BRICS initiative of AI‑empowered new industrialization, urging increased outcomes in research and development, application, and cooperation in industrial and supply chains. He warned that supply‑chain decoupling would not halt development and that “small yard, high fences” would only isolate the world.

On peace and stability, Xi emphasized that the world is increasingly turbulent and that the postwar international order is being undermined. He urged BRICS to uphold justice, end conflicts, and defend peace, adopting a vision of comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security. He criticized Cold War mentality, bloc confrontation, and violations of national sovereignty. Xi outlined BRICS’ constructive role in resolving hotspot issues, particularly in the Middle East, where war has inflicted serious losses on all regional peoples. He presented four propositions to safeguard and promote peace and stability in the region, calling for de‑escalation, a permanent comprehensive ceasefire, source‑level problem solving, trust rebuilding, and a new security architecture. He stressed that the Palestinian question remains central and that the two‑state solution is fundamental for peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel. China will work with fellow BRICS members to contribute to peace in the Middle East.

Xi also spoke about facilitating mutual learning between civilizations, describing the diversity of BRICS cultures as a garden of inclusive coexistence. He advocated for the common values of humanity, exchange, learning, and harmonious coexistence, and called for the BRICS People‑to‑People Exchange Forum to share governance experience and build positive energy for stable state‑to‑state relations. He encouraged deeper cooperation in culture, tourism, education, and youth exchanges to increase mutual understanding and amity.

Regarding global governance reform, Xi emphasized the importance of building a just and equitable system that aligns with the trend toward greater democracy in international relations. He urged the support of the United Nations, opposition to withdrawal from international organizations and treaties, and the maintenance of the World Trade Organization as the core of the multilateral trading system. He called for WTO reform, opposition to tariffs abuse, and rejection of protectionist measures. Xi also highlighted the need to steer global governance in frontier domains such as cyberspace, outer space, and deep sea, and to amplify the voice of Global South countries.

Concluding his speech, Xi praised the solidarity and cooperation that have sustained BRICS for 20 years and urged members to maintain candor, sincerity, and dialogue to deepen mutual understanding and manage differences. He announced that China will take over the BRICS chairship next year and host the 19th BRICS Summit, aiming to build consensus and plan for the future. Xi expressed confidence that the third golden decade of BRICS cooperation would usher in shared prosperity and progress for all member states.

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CIFTIS 2026 Opens to Public in Beijing on September 12

The 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) opened to the general public on September 12, 2026, and will remain open through September 13 at Shougang Park in Beijing, China. Visitors who have made a reservation are able to attend the fair free of charge.

On the opening day, crowds were seen watching a chef prepare noodles, while a child collected cultural stamps in a dedicated area. Other visitors photographed silk figurines, observed movement demonstrations of a robot, and experienced pulse diagnosis. Performances and dance shows staged by robots drew enthusiastic audiences, and a humanoid robot was also on display for public viewing.

Additional attractions included train models, cultural and creative products made of insect specimens from Peru, rowing machines, and a smart dental service system. Guests toured a scenario featuring an unmanned post office staffed by a robot that offered services related to cultural and creative products, and a showcase of the Beijing‑Tianjin‑Hebei inland port cluster. The China Service Case Showcase, as well as dedicated Education Services and Cultural and Tourism Services exhibition sections, were also highlighted. Visitors explored the Pakistan exhibition zone and other themed displays, including a series of collectible toys celebrating the fair.

Throughout the two‑day event, visitors enjoyed a wide range of exhibits and demonstrations, all accessible at no cost to those who had secured reservations. The fair’s opening to the public on September 12 and 13 marks a significant opportunity for participants and the public alike to engage with the latest developments in trade services across China and beyond.

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Xi lands in New Delhi for BRICS summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi, India, on Saturday, September 12, 2026, to attend the 18th BRICS Summit at the invitation of Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi. Xi was warmly welcomed upon his arrival.

The 18th BRICS Summit will be held from September 12 to 13. At the summit, Xi will join other leaders to chart a new course for the high‑quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, pooling the collective strength of the Global South and contributing stability and positive momentum to a world undergoing profound changes.

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Xi Declares BRICS the World’s Leading Platform for Emerging Markets Cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote address at Session I of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, on 12 September 2026, affirming that the BRICS cooperation mechanism has become the world’s most influential platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries.

During his speech, Xi marked the 20th anniversary of BRICS cooperation, noting that the past two decades have seen the mechanism grow and expand, demonstrating remarkable vitality and dynamism. He said the bloc’s experience of 20 years of self‑reliance and self‑strengthening has enabled BRICS members to explore development paths suited to their national conditions, setting an example of unity among emerging markets and developing countries. He added that the group has stood together through thick and thin.

Xi highlighted the challenges the bloc has tackled, including the global financial crisis, the COVID‑19 pandemic and climate change, and praised its steadfast role in safeguarding the common interests of the Global South while providing the world with stability and positive momentum.

He described the past 20 years as fruitful, noting that BRICS has undergone historic expansion, established a comprehensive, multi‑tiered framework for cooperation, and entered a new stage of high‑quality development. Xi stressed that the world is undergoing accelerated transformation unseen in a century, the Global South is growing rapidly, and the trend toward a multipolar world is unstoppable. He warned of countercurrents of unilateralism and power politics, the strain on multilateralism and the international order, and widening deficits in peace, development, security and governance.

In calling for BRICS to “stand on the right side of history,” Xi urged the group to pioneer a more just and equitable international order, build a community with a shared future for humanity, and steer global affairs toward greater justice and equity.

Xi called on BRICS to advance innovation‑driven development, emphasizing artificial intelligence. He urged the bloc to seize the initiative in AI, strengthen cooperation in the field, promote open‑source development, and push practical cooperation into new areas. China proposed an initiative to promote new industrialization through AI among BRICS countries and invited all members to actively participate in the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization. Xi said China is willing to work with all parties to deliver more outcomes in research, development and application, and deepen cooperation in industrial and supply chains.

Regarding peace and stability, Xi urged BRICS to uphold a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, oppose Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation, reject violations of sovereignty and interference in internal affairs, and play a constructive role in resolving hotspot issues. He noted that the situation in the Middle East remains complex and fluid, and that the war has inflicted serious losses on people in the region. Xi laid out four propositions to safeguard and promote peace and stability in the Middle East, aimed at de‑escalation, ending hostilities and promoting peace, and urged parties to pursue a political settlement and a permanent comprehensive ceasefire. China will work with fellow BRICS members to help bring peace and tranquility to the region.

Xi also emphasized the importance of mutual learning between civilizations. He called for BRICS members to champion common human values, advocate exchanges and mutual learning, ensure the success of the BRICS forum on people‑to‑people and cultural exchanges, share governance experience, and build positive momentum for steady development of relations. He urged deeper cooperation in culture, tourism and education, strengthening youth exchanges and promoting more frequent interactions and closer bonds among peoples.

On global governance, Xi urged the bloc to keep pace with the trend toward greater democracy in international relations, promote a more just and equitable global governance system, and uphold the authority of the United Nations. He said BRICS should support a multilateral trading system centered on the World Trade Organization and reject all forms of protectionist measures. The group should lead global governance in emerging domains such as cyberspace, outer space and the deep sea, amplifying the voice of Global South countries.

Xi concluded that over the extraordinary two‑decade journey, solidarity and cooperation have remained the driving force behind the BRICS cause. He called on members to remain sincere and candid, seek common ground while respecting differences, and respect each other’s core concerns. He urged the bloc to deepen mutual understanding through communication and dialogue, properly handle differences, and ensure that BRICS cooperation continues to move forward steadily.

China will take over the rotating chair of BRICS and host the 19th summit next year. Xi said China is ready to work with all parties to build consensus, create a better future, and embark on BRICS’ third “golden decade,” jointly opening a bright future of prosperity and progress.

At the summit, all parties praised the development achievements made by BRICS over the past 20 years, noting that the BRICS mechanism has broad representation and great potential for development. They agreed that in the face of escalating geopolitical conflicts and the rise of unilateralism, BRICS countries have a responsibility to speak up for the Global South, uphold multilateralism, support the central role of the United Nations, uphold the sovereign equality of all countries, abide by international law, oppose interference in the internal affairs of other countries, support free trade, and jointly address global challenges. All parties reiterated the importance of upholding the BRICS spirit, deepening cooperation across various fields, enhancing economic resilience, promoting a more just and inclusive international order, and building a secure and prosperous multipolar world. They appreciated China’s important contribution to the development and expansion of the BRICS mechanism and supported China, as next year’s chair, in successfully hosting the 19th BRICS Summit, so as to jointly bring BRICS cooperation to a new level. The leaders also adopted a joint declaration at the summit.

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CIFTIS 2026 Highlights China’s Shift to Experience‑Based Service Trade

From September 9 to 13, 2026, Beijing’s Shougang Park hosted the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), bringing together 413 exhibitors in the themed exhibition area for culture and tourism services. The fair showcased emerging models of cultural and tourism integration, allowing visitors to touch artificial snow, try VR devices, and view the Great Wall through immersive technology, as photographed by Xinhua reporters.

In a striking AI‑powered demonstration, Ms. Wang, a long‑time Peking Opera fan and first‑time visitor to the fair, tapped a screen and was instantly transformed into Mu Guiying, her favourite Peking Opera character. The experience was presented by the Jingju Theater Company of Beijing and highlighted how artificial intelligence can make once‑costly and time‑consuming opera costume photos and videos accessible to all.

Beyond the opera pavilion, CIFTIS featured humanoid robots offering bilingual explanations, brain‑computer interfaces that create digital paintings, and AI 360‑degree photo booths that generate blockbuster‑style videos in real time. These displays illustrate the broader trend of China upgrading its consumption from goods to experiences, a shift echoed by many exhibitors and visitors.

The fair’s new “China Services” exhibition zone showcased more than 140 cases across 12 major areas of services trade. Nearly 40 percent of the cases incorporated core technologies such as AI, large models and intelligent agents. The pavilion highlighted new business models, including age‑friendly solutions to bridge the digital divide and smart childcare platforms that provide integrated health management from birth through preschool.

Wang Min, president of the China General Chamber of Commerce, noted at a forum during the fair that people’s consumption focus has moved from goods to a balanced emphasis on both goods and services. He pointed out that digital technologies are spawning new business forms such as emotional consumption, immersive experiences and cross‑border services consumption.

Official data support this trend. In the first seven months of 2026, retail sales of services rose 5 percent year on year, outpacing retail sales of consumer goods by 3.9 percentage points. China’s per‑capita spending on services reached 13,602 yuan (about 2,009 U.S. dollars) in 2025, accounting for 46.1 percent of total per‑capita consumption expenditure. With rising disposable income and an improving domestic consumption environment, analysts expect further growth in service spending during the 15th Five‑Year Plan period (2026‑2030).

In April, the State Council issued a plan to elevate the total scale of the services industry to over 100 trillion yuan by 2030. In July, China released its first five‑year plan devoted exclusively to expanding consumption, prioritising service consumption with targeted support for elderly care, childcare, culture and tourism, health and sports services.

Li Jun, director of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce, said the services sector’s leap toward the 100‑trillion‑yuan mark represents a systemic upgrade in structure and growth drivers. He cited the popularity of the culture, tourism, education and sports exhibition areas at CIFTIS as a vivid illustration of this trend.

At the sports services pavilion, “China Hawk Eye,” a Chinese‑developed sports system, attracted professional fair visitors and sports fans. The system uses multiple high‑speed cameras to capture ball trajectories from different angles and reconstructs disputed moments into visualised 3D images, serving multiple international professional events.

The fair’s Global Trade in Services Summit highlighted China’s growing strength in services trade. In the first seven months of 2026, the country’s services trade totaled nearly 4.45 trillion yuan, up 8.3 percent year on year. Knowledge‑intensive services increased 6.6 percent to 1.96 trillion yuan, accounting for 44.1 percent of total services trade.

In a video address to the summit, World Intellectual Property Organization Director General Daren Tang praised China’s rapid growth in services trade, noting that the country’s strong exports of knowledge‑intensive services are supported by its intellectual property and innovation ecosystem. A report released at CIFTIS, “Trade in Services 100 2026,” by brand‑valuation consultancy Brand Finance, found that China ranks second globally with 21 brands in the world’s 100 most valuable trade‑in‑services brands, with a combined worth of 876.8 billion U.S. dollars. Alex Haigh, managing director of Brand Finance Asia Pacific, said that leveraging digital platforms, communications networks and large financial institutions helps Chinese trade‑in‑services brands rise rapidly, reflecting a new trend of extending “Made in China” to “China services” and “China brands.”

Zhao Ping, president of the Academy of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, called for further leveraging CIFTIS to promote trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation, noting that international services trade facilitation still faces barriers. The fair underscored China’s active promotion of services trade and its openness to creating more opportunities for countries and businesses worldwide.

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Flash: Xi calls on China, India to promote multilateral cooperation with openness and inclusiveness to benefit the world

President Xi Jinping has urged China and India to work together to strengthen multilateral cooperation that is open and inclusive, aiming to benefit the world.

Xi’s call emphasizes the importance of openness and inclusiveness in global cooperation efforts, highlighting the need for both nations to play a constructive role on the international stage.

The statement underscores the shared commitment of China and India to promote multilateralism that serves the interests of the global community.

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China, India Prepare for Xi‑Modi Meeting at 18th BRICS Summit

Beijing, Sept. 11 – China and India are arranging a meeting between President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the upcoming 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday.

According to Mao Ning, the Chinese spokesperson, the meeting will be the third consecutive year in which the two leaders will hold a bilateral session, following their previous encounters in Kazan and Tianjin.

She added that China is ready to cooperate with India in following the strategic guidance of Xi and Modi, viewing bilateral relations from a strategic and long‑term perspective. The aim is to strengthen communication, expand cooperation, and properly handle differences, thereby fostering a good‑neighborly friendship and partnership that helps both sides succeed.

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South Korea Welcomes 100‑Day‑Old Giant Panda Cub Shu Bao at Everland

On Friday, September 11, 2026, a 100‑day‑old giant panda cub named Shu Bao made its first public appearance at Everland, the largest theme park in Yongin, about 40 km south of Seoul. The park also announced the cub’s name on the same day, marking the arrival of South Korea’s fourth native giant panda.

Shu Bao’s parents, Le Bao and Ai Bao, arrived in South Korea in 2016 and have spent 15 years at Panda World in Everland. The pair produced the cub on June 3, when Shu Bao weighed 171 grams, making it the third successful natural breeding of giant pandas in the country after Fu Bao’s birth in 2020 and the twin cubs Rui Bao and Hui Bao in 2023.

Giant panda keeper Kang Cheol‑won carried Shu Bao during the public appearance and said that, following Fu Bao, Rui Bao and Hui Bao, Shu Bao is the newest member of the panda family, and he hopes the cub will bring joy to more visitors. “We expect Shu Bao to bring a new wave of excitement,” Kang said.

Visitor Jeong Da‑hyeon, who has been following the panda family’s growth, expressed delight at seeing the new addition. “I have been watching the pandas’ progress and I am thrilled to see Shu Bao join the family,” she said.

Shu Bao’s arrival marks a significant milestone for South Korea’s panda conservation efforts, adding to the park’s reputation as a leading facility for giant panda breeding and public education.

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