China is ratcheting up its diplomatic engagement in the Middle East, launching high-level talks in Beijing with Iranian and Saudi officials while dispatching special envoys to ease regional tensions tied to the ongoing conflict with the United States.
Beijing Hosts Security Officials as Diplomatic Push Intensifies
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Ali Bagheri Kani, the deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, in Beijing on Monday. Wang told the Iranian official that dialogue and negotiation remained “the only viable path forward” as conflicts in the region drag on and risk further spillover. Wang also reaffirmed China’s support for Iran’s sovereignty and security, while Beijing has consistently blamed the United States and Israel for starting the conflict.
In separate talks on the same day, Wang met with Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, the national security adviser of Saudi Arabia. Al-Aiban passed on a letter from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressed to Chinese President Xi Jinping. During their meeting, Wang told the Saudi official that the regional situation had reached a critical crossroads between war and peace.
It was not immediately clear whether the Iranian and Saudi officials had any contact with each other while both delegations were in Beijing.
Landmark Omani State Visit and Energy Security
Parallel to the security talks, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq for a state visit. This marks the first visit by an Omani head of state to China since the two nations established diplomatic relations in 1978.
Xi stated during the meeting that the Middle East and Gulf region should not become an arena for great-power rivalry and geopolitical conflict. Situated across from Iran on the Strait of Hormuz, Oman commands a critical corridor through which a significant portion of global energy exports pass. With the US-Iran war restricting traffic through the waterway, China, one of the world’s largest energy importers, faces acute supply chain vulnerabilities.
| Bilateral Agreements & Visits | Key Participants | Primary Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Sultan Haitham State Visit | Xi Jinping & Sultan Haitham bin Tariq | AI, green energy, supply chains, currency swap |
| Iranian Security Talks | Wang Yi & Ali Bagheri Kani | Regional sovereignty, political dialogue |
| Saudi Security Consultations | Wang Yi & Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban | Shipping safety, energy corridor security |
During Sultan Haitham’s visit, Beijing and Muscat signed 14 cooperation documents covering artificial intelligence, green energy, and supply chains, alongside a currency swap agreement. In a joint statement, both countries urged the resumption of safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and called for the US and Iran to restart dialogue.
Upcoming Envoy Tours Across the Middle East and Africa
Reflecting this renewed diplomatic momentum, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday that Zhai Jun, Beijing’s special envoy on the Middle East, will travel to Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia this month. Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning explained that these shuttle diplomacy visits aim to promote peace talks and ease regional tensions.
The diplomatic blitz extends beyond the Gulf. Parallel missions include Liu Xianfa, China’s special representative for African affairs, visiting Egypt, Djibouti, and Ethiopia. China’s special representative for Horn of Africa affairs, Hu Changchun, is also scheduled to visit Eritrea.
These coordinated tours coincide with heightened anxieties over potential escalations following US political cycles, with regional actors remaining braced for any shifts in Washington’s military posture regarding Tehran.
