China has initiated significant diplomatic efforts to seek a resolution to conflicts in the Middle East. According to reports from Chinese state media on November 3, President Xi Jinping held a summit with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq on November 2. On the same day, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau and Foreign Minister, met consecutively with security officials from Iran and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced plans to dispatch a special envoy to Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.
During the summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi and Sultan Haitham called for the United States and Iran to seek peaceful solutions and achieve a comprehensive ceasefire. They emphasized the need to prevent the resurgence of conflict and to return to dialogue and negotiations based on the Islamabad Memorandum. They also agreed on the importance of restoring normal and safe navigation in the Hormuz Strait as soon as possible.
Xi stressed that the Middle East and Gulf regions should not become arenas for competition among major powers and geopolitical conflicts. He expressed China's commitment to enhancing communication and cooperation with Arab nations to promote peace and stability in the region. Sultan Haitham supported Xi's vision for peace in the Middle East and expressed hope for a greater role for China in regional stability.
On the same day, Wang Yi met with Ali Bagheri Kani, Deputy Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in Beijing. Wang expressed support for Iran's sovereignty and security while emphasizing that armed conflict should not resume and that issues must be resolved through dialogue and negotiation. He also held a separate meeting with Musaed al-Aiban, Saudi Arabia's National Security Advisor, who delivered a letter from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Xi. Wang urged all parties to resolve differences and cease hostilities through dialogue and negotiation, highlighting that the Middle East stands at a crossroads between war and peace.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that Special Envoy Zhai Jun will visit Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia sequentially in early to mid-November. Zhai is expected to discuss the regional situation and pathways to restore peace through consultations with the governments of these countries.
China's diplomatic initiatives are driven by two key interests: energy security and international influence. As the world's largest oil importer, China is highly dependent on energy from the Middle East. The instability in the Hormuz Strait, a crucial route for global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) transport, poses direct challenges to China's energy supply chains and maritime logistics. Simultaneously, China seeks to expand its diplomatic influence in the region, leveraging its experience mediating the normalization of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023 to secure a diplomatic space for communication with both sides. Amid ongoing armed conflicts between the U.S. and Iran, China is emphasizing dialogue and negotiation, distinguishing its diplomatic approach from that of the U.S.
However, it remains uncertain whether China can establish itself as a new mediator in the Middle East in place of the U.S. Some analysts suggest that resolving the complex disputes involving Iran's security issues and Israel's interests may exceed China's diplomatic capabilities. Therefore, it is likely that China will collaborate with regional countries like Oman and play a role in facilitating the resumption of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran rather than pursuing independent mediation.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.