China’s Middle East envoy’s tour of region heightens focus on Beijing’s influence over Iran
- Beijing is not expected to play a major role in brokering a ceasefire, but it is one of the few countries that holds some sway over the Islamic Republic
- Diplomatic observers said it is not clear how far Beijing will be able to lean on Iran in an effort to stop the Israel-Gaza conflict escalating further
Diplomatic observers said China’s main interests in the region are economic and it is unlikely to play a significant role in mediating a ceasefire, but they noted it is one of the few countries that has some sway over Iran.
“Everybody here in the region is looking towards Iran and wondering what’s going to happen,” said Jonathan Fulton, a senior fellow for the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programmes based in the United Arab Emirates.
“I think China’s one of the few great powers that can offer some positive incentives for Iran to keep the temperature down and I think that would be very consistent with China’s interest in the Middle East.”
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Israel defence minister says troops to see Gaza ‘from inside’ soon, hinting at ground invasion
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian met in Qatar last Saturday, where they discussed the group’s attack on Israel and agreed to continue cooperation, according to the militant group.