China steps up Middle East diplomacy with Iran and Oman meetings
Summary
China increased its Middle East diplomacy as Foreign Minister Wang Yi met an Iranian security official and President Xi Jinping hosted Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. China and Oman called for safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and renewed US-Iran dialogue, while Beijing announced a regional visit by its Middle East envoy.Key Facts
- Wang Yi told Ali Bagheri Kani that dialogue and negotiation were the only viable path forward and reaffirmed China’s support for Iran’s sovereignty and security.
- China’s Middle East special envoy, Zhai Jun, is scheduled to visit Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia this month.
- Sultan Haitham’s visit was the first by an Omani head of state to China since the countries established diplomatic relations in 1978.
- China and Oman signed 14 cooperation documents on areas including artificial intelligence, green energy and supply chains.
- China and Oman also signed a currency swap agreement.
- Their joint statement called for safe navigation to resume through the Strait of Hormuz and urged the United States and Iran to restart dialogue.
- Before the war restricted traffic, about one-fifth of global energy exports passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
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