China steps up Middle East diplomacy with Iran and Oman meetings

Beijing is urging dialogue on the US-Iran war while sending its special envoy to the Gulf region. The diplomatic push comes after a period of stalled Chinese mediation efforts in the conflict that has disrupted global energy markets.

Iranian talks

Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in Beijing on Monday. Wang emphasized that dialogue and negotiation remain 'the only viable path forward' as regional conflicts 'drag on and risk further spillover'.

Omani state visit

Simultaneously, President Xi Jinping hosted Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq for the first Omani head of state visit to China since 1978. Xi stated that the Middle East should not become 'an arena for great-power rivalry and geopolitical conflict'.

The two nations signed 14 cooperation documents covering artificial intelligence, green energy, supply chains, and a currency swap agreement. They called for safe navigation to resume through the Strait of Hormuz and urged the US and Iran to restart dialogue.

Strategic interests

China's intensified diplomacy reflects its growing frustration with the lack of progress in ending the conflict. As the world's largest energy importer, China has been significantly affected by the disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global energy exports previously passed.

Oman's strategic location across from Iran on the Hormuz Strait makes it particularly important for China's energy security, especially since many Omani ports are outside the strait. The conflict has made the China-Oman relationship 'more of a priority for both sides'.