China ready to work with GCC states for lasting regional peace
Gulf must not become arena for great-power rivalry, says President Xi
Chinese President Xi Jinping said the Middle East and the Gulf region should not become an arena for competition between major powers or geopolitical conflicts, stressing China’s readiness to work with Arab countries to achieve lasting peace and regional stability.
During talks with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said in Beijing on Monday, Xi said the world was undergoing profound changes not seen in a century, adding that peace and stability in the Gulf required the joint efforts of all parties.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Xi said Beijing remained committed to ending the war and was ready to contribute ideas and solutions to address the region’s security challenges.
He also expressed China’s willingness to strengthen communication and coordination with Arab countries, including Gulf Cooperation Council states, to restore peace and promote lasting security and stability.
Sultan Haitham arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a two-day visit, the first by an Omani sultan since diplomatic relations between Oman and China were established in 1978.
Oman’s official media quoted the Sultan as telling Xi that his government highly valued China’s positions on key regional issues. He stressed that development and stability were closely linked and that national prosperity required security, peace, respect for state sovereignty and international law, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Sultan Haitham also said Oman was open to concluding a preferential trade and investment agreement with China, expressing confidence that such an agreement would create new opportunities and facilitate stronger trade and investment exchanges between the two countries.
