Chinese president calls for diplomacy and regional cooperation during talks with Oman's Sultan Haitham in Beijing

By The South Asia Times

BEIJING -  Chinese President Xi Jinping warned on Monday that the Middle East and Gulf region must not become a battleground for great-power rivalry, as he called for diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing war and restore regional stability.

Speaking during talks with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi said regional peace and stability required joint efforts from all parties, according to the Foreign Ministry statement.

" The Middle East and the Gulf region should not become an arena for great power rivalry and geopolitical conflicts," Xi said, according to China's Foreign Ministry.

He said China remained committed to promoting peace and resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means. Beijing was ready to strengthen coordination with Arab countries and members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to restore regional peace and achieve lasting stability.

The talks took place during Haitham's state visit to China, the first by an Omani head of state in the 48 years since the two countries established diplomatic relations.

Xi said the visit would provide fresh momentum to bilateral ties and called for stronger cooperation in energy, investment, artificial intelligence, technology and infrastructure.

China, he said, was willing to serve as a stable energy partner and expand cooperation with Oman in emerging industries and innovation.

Haitham praised China's role in promoting international peace and stability and welcomed Beijing's position on the Middle East. He said Oman supported resolving disputes peacefully and was ready to coordinate closely with China to promote regional and global security.

The Omani leader also reaffirmed his country's commitment to the one-China principle and expressed interest in expanding cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure and technology.

Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several cooperation agreements covering supply chains, green development and digital finance.

The two countries also issued a joint statement on deepening their strategic partnership.

The meeting comes amid heightened regional tensions and concerns that the ongoing conflict could further destabilize the Gulf, a strategically important region for global energy supplies and maritime trade.