This study examines the progress and challenges in China’s energy cooperation with the Middle Eastern states in the past decade. It argued that oil and gas trade and investment continue to dominate energy cooperation between China and the Middle East. In contrast, new energy sources have emerged as a growing area of cooperation between China and the Middle East. The oil and gas trade and investment has been threatened by the regional conflict between Israel and Arab countries and non-traditional security threats from local armed forces, the Houthi in particular, while the new energy cooperation has also been faced with many challenges from the slowing transition in energy sectors in the Middle Eastern states and the technology barriers and intense competition from the West. In the future, China will establish a reliable and stable energy supply chain with the Middle Eastern countries by increasing energy infrastructure investment and actively engaging in the energy transition of these countries through expanded clean energy investment and technical cooperation. China would also enhance policy consultation and coordination with the Middle Eastern states on global energy governance to help build a governance system based on equity, justice, balance and inclusiveness.