China Intensifies Middle East Diplomacy with Iran and Oman Visits
Beijing’s foreign minister and President Xi met Iranian and Omani officials as China seeks a larger role in regional talks.
China is ramping up diplomatic outreach in the Middle East amid growing frustration over stalled peace efforts.
On Monday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, in Beijing. Wang said dialogue and negotiation remain “the only viable path forward” as regional conflicts risk further spillover, and he reiterated China’s support for Iran’s sovereignty and security.
At the same time, President Xi Jinping received Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, marking the first visit by an Omani head of state since diplomatic relations were established in 1978. Xi warned that the Middle East and Gulf “should not become an arena for great‑power rivalry and geopolitical conflict.” He described the bilateral relationship with Oman as entering a “new historical starting point.”
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Zhai Jun, the country’s special envoy on the Middle East, will travel to Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia later this month, underscoring a renewed push to engage the region.
Analysts note that China is the world’s largest energy importer and that Oman sits across from Iran on the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy exports.
China’s latest moves suggest it wants to be seen as an active participant in Middle Eastern diplomatic processes.
