Saudi Arabia ‘at the top’ of China’s Middle Eastern diplomacy
- Foreign Minister Wang Yi continues Beijing’s focus on the region with a call to his Saudi Arabian counterpart
- Wang stresses the need for close communications and deeper connections through the Belt and Road Initiative
Wang Yi said China had always given priority to its relations with Saudi Arabia and was willing to be a long-term and reliable partner, according to a readout issued by the Chinese foreign ministry soon after his conversation with Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
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“Facing the volatile international situation, China and Saudi Arabia need to maintain close strategic communication, which is an inherent part of the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership,” Wang said.
“China appreciates Saudi Arabia’s firm stand with China on issues concerning China’s core interests, and will, as always, firmly support Saudi Arabia in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and stability, and resolutely oppose any interference in Saudi internal affairs.”
“China has always maintained an objective and fair position on the Iran nuclear issue and committed itself to maintaining the international nuclear non-proliferation system and safeguarding the security and stability of the Gulf region in the Middle East, without any self-interest or geopolitical considerations.”
At a meeting in Tashkent in July, Wang told his Saudi Arabian counterpart that China opposed external forces pointing fingers at Saudi Arabia under the banner of human rights and democracy. He said Beijing was against any interference in Saudi Arabia’s internal affairs, adding that China was willing to strengthen cooperation in energy, investment and finance.
China has been stepping up its efforts to enhance diplomatic ties with Middle Eastern countries. Beijing has also expanded its footprint in the region through its global infrastructure programme, launched in 2013. The China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor – a belt and road project – crosses several countries in the region, including Iran and Saudi Arabia.
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During a phone conversation on Friday, Wang told Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian that China was willing to strengthen coordination with Iran in regional and international affairs. He was following up on a call between the two states’ leaders in August.
“No matter how the international and regional situation changes, China will make efforts for greater development of the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership. China is willing to continue to work with Iran to firmly support each other on issues concerning respective core interests and major concerns, oppose unilateral bullying, and defend international fairness and justice,” he said.
Wang also said China would support Iran in its bid to host the second meeting of foreign ministers from Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries to step up coordination and communication, after the first meeting in September proposed by Pakistan.
In March, Wang visited Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Oman at the invitation of their foreign ministers, despite the Covid-19 pandemic. The trip set a record for the most Middle Eastern countries visited by a Chinese foreign minister at one time, according to the ministry.
