Xi says Middle East must not become battleground for great-power rivalry
During a meeting with Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said in Beijing, Xi said China was willing to strengthen coordination with Arab countries, including Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members, to address regional security challenges. Peace and stability in the region require joint nurturing and protection by all parties,” Xi said, according to China’s foreign ministry. He added that the world was undergoing “profound changes unseen in a century”, and said China remained committed to stopping the war and contributing “wisdom and solutions to resolving the region’s security dilemmas”. Last week, China’s foreign ministry said Beijing would soon send special envoys to the Middle East to promote engagement and de-escalation.
“The Middle East Gulf region should not become an arena for great-power rivalry and geopolitical conflict. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday said the Middle East and Gulf region should not become a battleground for great-power rivalry, offering to work with Arab nations to restore peace and ensure lasting stability amid escalating tensions in the region.
Haitham told Xi that his government had deep appreciation for China’s positions on key regional issues, according to Omani state media. “We believe that development and stability are inextricably linked,” he said. The Omani sultan also said his country was open to entering into a preferential bilateral trade and investment agreement with China.