Diplomatic Push: China seeks active role in Middle East peace
Beijing officials met with Iranian and Omani leaders to promote negotiation and coordinate a regional diplomatic initiative.
By Fatou Kim ·
One new diplomatic initiative was announced on Monday as China moved to expand its influence in Middle East conflict resolution.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Ali Bagheri Kani, the deputy secretary of the Iran Supreme National Security Council, in Beijing. Wang told Kani that dialogue and negotiation are the primary methods for resolving conflicts in the region. He urged all parties to focus on political solutions rather than returning to armed conflict. Wang stated that China supports Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty and security.
President Xi Jinping also engaged in diplomatic talks earlier on Monday. He met with Omani leader Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said. Xi told the Omani leader that the Middle East and Gulf region should not become a battleground for great-power rivalry. A joint statement issued by the two nations followed the meeting. Muscat expressed support for Chinese peace proposals for the Middle East. The Omani government said it looks forward to a “greater role” by Beijing in achieving lasting stability in the region.
China is pressing for a larger diplomatic presence in the Middle East. The government announced that its special envoy to the region will visit Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia this month. The envoy will travel to these three nations to advance the diplomatic efforts outlined by Wang Yi and Xi.
