China considers absolute priority to avoid resumption of hostilities

A China has said today that it is making diplomatic efforts to prevent a resumption of hostilities in the Middle East, considering that this is an “absolute priority” at the risk of a further escalation of the conflict.

“The absolute priority is to avoid a resumption of hostilities in the Middle East, which would be disastrous for the people of the region,” said Chinese Foreign Minister Mao Ning at a press conference.

She highlighted Beijing's recent diplomatic efforts, including meetings this week with representatives from Iran, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed on Monday the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq, whose country has played a role as mediator in the conflict and is situated near the Strait of Ormuz.

On the same day, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met separately with senior Iranian and Saudi officials.

China has important economic and strategic interests in the Middle East.

More than half of Chinese imports of crude oil transported by sea originated in that region last year, with most passing through the Strait of Ormuz, according to the Kpler data analysis company.

Prior to the war, Iran allocated more than 80% of its oil exports to China, according to the same source.

Beijing is a key strategic and economic partner of Tehran, but it also has close relations with the Arab countries of the Gulf, with which it has significantly strengthened economic and diplomatic cooperation over the last decade.

The crisis in the Middle East affected the Chinese economy, the second largest in the world, heavily dependent on international trade and the external supply of raw materials.

In recent months, Beijing has developed a discreet but persistent diplomatic activity aimed at a negotiated solution to the conflict and the reopening of the Strait of Ormuz, facing the threat of a new military confrontation of high intensity.

“China believes that stability in the Middle East and the Gulf region is not only concerned with the well-being of the countries and populations in the region, but is also of great importance for maintaining international energy supplies as well as for world peace and security,” said Mao Ning.