China has scrapped tariffs on goods from 53 African countries starting May 1, 2026, in a move that has sparked differing interpretations over its aims, impact, and broader context.

As part of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Gulf tour, which included Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman and resulted in the signing of 24 agreements, declarations, and joint statements across various fields, Al-Estiklal spoke with two Turkish academics about the visit’s broader implications.

As investment interest surges in postwar Syria, cement production is drawing growing attention from international companies eager to secure contracts, with the sector poised to play a central role in the country’s reconstruction.

As Syria tackles fuel and energy shortages through international partnerships and secures resources for reconstruction, it is also reviving key export sectors, with the phosphate industry at the forefront to offset revenue shortfalls.

China continues to tread carefully in its approach to Syria’s new political reality, despite its potential to position itself as a central player in the country’s reconstruction efforts after years of devastating war.