Xi Jinping: Middle East and Gulf must not become a battlefield for great-power rivalry
The Chinese leader said peace and stability in the region require the joint care of all parties. China's Foreign Ministry announced that a special envoy will visit Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia within the next two weeks.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said on 2 November that the Middle East and the Gulf must not become a battlefield for competition between great powers and for geopolitical conflicts.
Xi stressed that Beijing will continue to call for the settlement of disputes through political and diplomatic means. He noted that peace and stability in the region require the joint care and protection of all parties.
The Chinese leader also said Beijing is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Arab countries and to work together with them to restore peace and stability in the region.
On the same day, China's Foreign Ministry announced that China's special envoy will visit Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia within the next two weeks.
The statements came at a time of continuing tension around the Strait of Hormuz, attacks on tankers in the Gulf and ongoing exchanges of strikes between Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Brent crude, which rose to 118 dollars per barrel before the weekend, fell to 109.95 dollars as markets reopened on 2 November.
China has played a mediating role in the region before: in March 2023 Saudi Arabia and Iran decided to restore diplomatic relations under an agreement reached in Beijing. Xi Jinping visited Egypt in September 2026.
