Chinese President Xi Jinping tells Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq that Beijing is ready to work with Arab countries to restore regional peace and stability amid escalating Middle East tensions.
BEIJING, CHINA — WEB DESK: Chinese President Xi Jinping has said the Middle East and Gulf region should not become a battleground for great-power rivalry, calling for collective efforts to restore peace and regional stability.
Xi made the remarks on Monday during a meeting with Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said, who is visiting Beijing for a two-day state visit.
According to Reuters, the Chinese president said Beijing was willing to strengthen cooperation with Arab countries, including Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members, to support lasting peace and security in the region.
Xi calls for regional peace and stability
Xi said the Middle East and Gulf region should not become an arena for geopolitical confrontation between major powers.
“The Middle East Gulf region should not become an arena for great-power rivalry and geopolitical conflict,” Xi said, according to China’s Foreign Ministry.
He added that peace and stability required joint efforts and protection from all parties.
The Chinese president also reiterated Beijing’s commitment to ending the conflict, saying China hoped to contribute solutions to the region’s security challenges.
China and Oman call for dialogue over regional conflict
During the visit, China and Oman issued a 20-point joint statement addressing regional security and bilateral cooperation.
The statement called for normal and safe navigation to resume in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Both countries also urged the United States and Iran to pursue peaceful solutions, return to the June agreement aimed at ending the conflict and resume dialogue.
The statement highlighted the importance of diplomatic engagement amid continuing tensions affecting regional security and international shipping.
Beijing steps up diplomatic engagement
China has increased its diplomatic efforts to address tensions in the Middle East, particularly amid the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
China’s Foreign Ministry also announced that its special envoy to the Middle East, Zhai Jun, would visit Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia during November to promote engagement and de-escalation.
Separately, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for political solutions through dialogue and negotiations during a meeting with Iranian security official Ali Bagheri Kani in Beijing.
Omani sultan visits China
Sultan Haitham arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a two-day visit, marking the first visit to China by an Omani head of state since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1978.
During his meeting with Xi, the Omani leader expressed appreciation for China’s positions on regional issues and emphasised the importance of peace, sovereignty and international law.
He also indicated that Oman was open to a preferential trade and investment agreement with China.
China is Oman’s largest trading partner, with both countries seeking to expand cooperation in energy, investment and other economic sectors.
