China urges Middle East dialogue in meetings with Iranian and Saudi officials
Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for political solutions to regional conflicts during separate talks with national security officials in Beijing.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Iranian and Saudi national security officials in Beijing on Monday to advocate for political solutions in the Middle East. According to ThePrint, Wang stated that all parties should focus on dialogue rather than resorting to arms.
During a meeting with Ali Bagheri Kani, the deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Wang said negotiation is the way to resolve regional conflicts, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
Wang also held talks with Saudi Arabia national security adviser Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban. Wang said the regional situation has reached a critical crossroads between war and peace and expressed hope that parties can resolve differences to safeguard energy and shipping lane security.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Al-Aiban passed on a letter from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressed to President Xi Jinping. It was not clear if the Iranian and Saudi officials had contact with each other in Beijing.
China announced that its special envoy will visit Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia this month. This follows comments from President Xi to Omani leader Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said that the region should not become a battleground for great-power rivalry.
