China's Xi says Middle East should not become battleground for great power rivalry

Key Points:

• Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that the Middle East and Gulf region should not be a battleground for great-power rivalry, expressing China's willingness to work with Arab nations to achieve lasting peace and stability.
• Xi highlighted the need for joint efforts to nurture peace in the region and offered China's commitment to providing wisdom and solutions to resolve security dilemmas amid ongoing tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran.
• During Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said's first visit to China since 1978, both countries agreed on the importance of resuming normal and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and called for peaceful dialogue between the US and Iran.
• Oman expressed interest in a preferential bilateral trade and investment agreement with China, aiming to boost cooperation in energy, renewable resources, digital commerce, and financial institutions, with China being Oman's largest trade partner.
• China's special envoy to the Middle East, Zhai Jun, is scheduled to visit Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia to further diplomatic efforts, underscoring China's increased engagement in Middle Eastern security and economic issues.