The Chinese Foreign Ministry has confirmed that it will be deploying senior diplomats to critical Middle East countries to strengthen its economic and political position in the region. This move comes amid ongoing commercial shipping interruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
What happened
The diplomats will visit the governments of Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Egypt, and Eritrea to promote peace talks and ease tensions. This diplomatic effort follows the first-ever visit by the Sultan of Oman, Haitham Bin Tarik Al Said, to Beijing, where he was met by Chinese dictator Xi Jinping.
China is the largest consumer of goods traveling through the Strait of Hormuz and has been affected by the disruptions. The Chinese government has attempted to redirect shipments and find new sources for its critical goods, including oil. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated that Beijing seeks to play a "constructive role" in ensuring peace in the region.
Special envoys and representatives from the Chinese government will visit various countries in the region, aiming to promote peace talks, ease tensions, and uphold regional peace and stability. Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of peace returning to the region "at an early date" and expressed hope for an expanded Chinese presence in Oman and a closer bilateral relationship.
Xi also criticized the ongoing conflict between Iran and America, stating that China does not want the Middle East to "become an arena for major power rivalry or geopolitical conflicts." The Chinese government has been committed to ending hostilities and promoting peace in the region, aiming to contribute its wisdom and solutions to resolving the regional security predicament.
