Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on Monday, focusing on the Middle East situation and bilateral relations, according to Xinhua News Agency.
The high-level engagement follows Xiâs recent meeting in Beijing with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where he presented a four-point proposal aimed at promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.
The call came amid rising concerns over the future of the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran after the United States seized an Iranian vessel. Several Western media outlets, including Reuters, described the move as Beijing stepping up diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the Iran conflict.
Discussing the current tensions in the Middle East and Gulf region, Xi emphasized that China supports an immediate and full ceasefire and backs all efforts that can help restore peace. He said Beijing remains committed to resolving disputes through political and diplomatic channels.
Xi also stressed that maintaining normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz is in the shared interest of regional countries and the wider international community. He added that China supports regional nations in building a cooperative environment based on good-neighborly relations, development, security, and long-term peace.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Mohammed bin Salman said Saudi Arabia remains committed to resolving disputes through dialogue and hopes to avoid further escalation in the region.
He also stated that China is a responsible major country that consistently upholds a fair position and supports Middle Eastern countries in pursuing good-neighborliness, dialogue, and cooperation.
Saudi Arabia, he said, is prepared to strengthen coordination with China to preserve the ceasefire, prevent renewed conflict, ensure the safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and jointly seek a path toward lasting peace and stability.
âChina upholds an objective and fair stance on the Strait of Hormuz issue. It opposes military strikes by the US and Israel against Iran, while stressing the importance of ensuring normal passage of the strait and safeguarding security in the region,â said Liu Zhongmin, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University.
âAmid conflict, Saudi Arabia has still, taking into account its special relationship with the US, maintained overall rationality and restraint so far. It has also kept communication with China and affirmed China’s role, which is of great significance for the prospect of peace,â said Zhu Yongbiao, a Middle East affairs expert with Lanzhou University.
In April 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia restored diplomatic relations through Chinaâs mediation. This followed Chinaâs Global Security Initiative introduced in 2022, which identified Middle East stability as a key priority.
Experts noted that recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran, along with Iranâs retaliatory attacks on US military bases in Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, have disrupted the reconciliation process between Iran and Gulf states.
Liu said Xiâs emphasis on good-neighborliness is especially important in preserving the regional stability achieved since 2023 and preventing the crisis from worsening.
According to Zhu, the deeper cause of instability in the Middle East is US involvement. âThe US has consistently attempted to sow discord among relevant countries in the region and intensify strategic mistrust between them. Therefore, breaking free from such external interference is a realistic path toward achieving peace in the region.â
He added that countries in the region need stronger strategic independence and closer regional cooperation to maintain a stable environment for development.
On bilateral relations, Xi said China places great importance on ties with Saudi Arabia and continues to follow principles of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit.
Marking the 10th anniversary of the China-Saudi comprehensive strategic partnership this year, Xi said China is ready to deepen strategic trust, practical cooperation, and high-level exchanges with Saudi Arabia to further strengthen ties and set an example for China-Arab relations.
Mohammed bin Salman said Saudi Arabia views its relationship with China as strategic and considers stronger ties with Beijing vital to the kingdomâs future.
Experts said China-Saudi cooperation extends beyond traditional energy ties and now includes policy coordination, regional stability efforts, and collaboration in new sectors such as artificial intelligence and advanced technology.
âOverall, it is truly valuable that China and Saudi Arabia, on the basis of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, can set aside ideological differences and carry out constructive and pioneering cooperation on major issues,â Zhu said.
China is expected to host the second China-Arab States Summit in 2026, as both sides look to further strengthen cooperation across energy, economic connectivity, and regional security.
