Much is made of links between Beijing and Tehran, but the true extent of their relations is more limited. Where there are alternatives, China takes them, with one eye on the US.

Saudi Arabia's new approach that looks after its own interests seems to be paying off. China has been pivotal in getting regional players to cooperate peacefully in a way that benefits all.

The annual conflab to sign off on policy decisions gave clues as to the thinking in Beijing. China's future is bright if it can ride out the coming storm.

China's maritime focus at present remains in its vicinity. Its presence in the Middle East is a slow build. It might never become a regional military superpower, but it can't be ruled out entirely.

Detailed information on a network of high-expertise, low-cost, web-based operations shows what Beijing wants and the methods used to get it

Both China and the Gulf have much to offer one another, especially with the Gulf's thirst for big infrastructure projects and China's thirst for carbon.

China's biggest company — the utility giant State Grid — is the third most lucrative company globally, trailing only Walmart and Saudi Aramco.

On the Davos Promenade — the centre of social activities — the most prominent pavilions belong to Gulf countries and India. Meanwhile, China's sizeable delegation unnerves the US.

President-elect Lai will certainly be limited in his capacity to enact any major shift in the coming years. Meanwhile, Beijing's Taiwan policy has proven ineffective and may need a change of course.

China is still growing faster than the US, but economic parity will be much delayed