Sultan Haitham's first state visit to China: Oman and China sign a local currency swap and a BeiDou agreement

2 November 2026

Sultan Haitham bin Tarik made his first state visit to China, from 1 to 2 November 2026. It was the first visit to China by an Omani Sultan in the 48 years since the two countries set up diplomatic relations. He held talks with President Xi Jinping and also met Premier Li Qiang. A joint statement said both sides would advance their strategic partnership, with cooperation in energy, artificial intelligence, investment, tourism, culture and security. Six documents were put in place. One covers China's BeiDou satellite navigation system; the others deal with factories and supply lines, clean growth, swapping each other's currency, digital payment and digital money. The two sides agreed to align the Belt and Road Initiative with Oman Vision 2040 and to speed up a China-GCC Free Trade Agreement. They also said normal and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz must be restored.