Guangzhou prospers after China brokers Iran-Saudi Arabia deal.
The port city of Guangzhou, the commercial center of southern China, has become one of the most important centers for West Asian traders and buyers in China in recent years. This trend has taken shape at the same time as extensive changes in Beijing’s foreign and trade policy, especially after Beijing successfully mediated between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia in 2023 and intensified its role in the interactions in this region.
On the other hand, the increase in trade tensions between China and the United States has caused Beijing to actively expand cooperation routes with emerging economies, including West Asian countries. In this context, many Arab, African, and Asian traders turn to Guangzhou to purchase industrial equipment, electronics, and consumer goods; a city that is considered one of the largest centers for the production and distribution of goods in China.
Official data shows that the volume of trade between Guangdong Province and 17 West Asian countries increased by about 9 percent last year compared to 2023; A trend that, according to experts, is the result of growing demand for Chinese goods with competitive prices and acceptable quality in Arab markets.
At the same time, Chinese merchants and sellers emphasize that buyers from West Asian countries attach great importance to the quality of goods and “pay well.”