China is intensifying its diplomatic engagement across the Middle East, centering on the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, following a notable slowdown in regional mediation efforts.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, in Beijing. During the discussions, Wang emphasized that dialogue and negotiation remained the sole viable path forward as regional hostilities persist and threaten to widen. Wang also reiterated Beijing’s backing for Iran’s national sovereignty and security, while maintaining Beijing’s stance blaming the United States and Israel for initiating the conflict.
At the same time, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq for a landmark state visit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The visit marked the first time an Omani head of state has traveled to China since the two nations established diplomatic relations in 1978. Xi told Sultan Haitham that the Middle East and the Gulf region should not serve as an arena for major-power rivalry and geopolitical competition.
Reporting from Beijing, correspondents noted that China maintains close economic ties with Tehran as its largest trading partner and primary consumer of crude oil. Despite these economic links, Beijing’s active mediation had stalled in recent weeks and months, leading to renewed diplomatic momentum driven by frustration with the lack of progress toward ending the conflict.
Underscoring this renewed diplomatic push, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Zhai Jun, Beijing’s special envoy on the Middle East, is scheduled to visit Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia during the month.
The strategic importance of Oman has grown significantly due to the conflict. Positioned across the Strait of Hormuz from Iran, Oman is critical for maritime navigation through a waterway that historically carried one-fifth of global energy exports before traffic was restricted by the US-Iran war. Because China relies heavily on energy imports, Beijing views ties with Oman as a priority, particularly since many Omani ports are situated outside the restricted strait.
During Sultan Haitham’s visit, China and Oman signed 14 cooperation agreements spanning artificial intelligence, green energy, supply chains, and a bilateral currency swap arrangement. In a formal joint statement, both nations called for the resumption of safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and urged Washington and Tehran to restart direct dialogue.
