2nd November 2026 – (Beijing) President Xi Jinping said the Middle East and Gulf region must not be turned into a stage for great‑power competition, calling instead for joint stewardship of peace and stability. Speaking at the Great Hall of the People during a welcoming ceremony for Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Xi added that China is ready to work with Arab partners, including Gulf Cooperation Council members, to restore calm and support lasting security.
In remarks released after the meeting, both sides underscored the need to resume normal and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and urged the United States and Iran to pursue peaceful options, return to dialogue and build on prior understandings aimed at easing tensions. China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, separately told Ali Bagheri Kani, the deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, that all parties should prioritise political solutions over renewed armed confrontation, reiterating Beijing’s support for diplomacy as the path to resolving regional disputes.
Beijing also signalled a broader diplomatic push, with China’s special envoy for the Middle East set to visit Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks. Sultan Haitham, making the first state visit to China by an Omani head of state since diplomatic ties were established in 1978, voiced appreciation for China’s positions on regional issues and said Muscat is open to discussing a preferential trade and investment arrangement with Beijing to deepen commercial links.
Economic ties remain strong, with China serving as Oman’s largest trading partner and direct flights between Beijing and Muscat boosting tourism and business since November last year. Alongside crude and energy exports, Oman is seeking to expand cooperation with China in renewable energy supply chains, digital commerce and financial services, with both sides emphasising the importance of development anchored in stability, respect for sovereignty and adherence to international law.