China plans to send its special envoy for the Middle East to Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia in November, as Beijing steps up diplomatic engagement amid regional tensions.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced on November 2 that envoy Zhai Jun would visit the three countries in early and mid-November.
Beijing calls for dialogue
Mao said the planned diplomatic visits were intended to promote peace talks, ease tensions and support regional stability.
The visits form part of wider Chinese diplomatic outreach that also includes planned missions to countries in Africa and the Horn of Africa.
Beijing has repeatedly called for political solutions to regional conflicts and the protection of international trade routes.
Oman and Saudi Arabia included
The itinerary includes Oman, which has played a diplomatic role in contacts involving Iran and other countries, as well as Saudi Arabia, a major regional economy and energy producer.
The planned travel does not itself constitute a formal peace agreement or indicate that direct negotiations between all parties have been arranged.
Regional stability and trade
The Gulf is important to international energy markets and maritime trade. Security concerns around the Strait of Hormuz have increased pressure for diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.
China is a major importer of energy from the Middle East, giving Beijing a substantial economic interest in regional stability.
The envoy’s planned visits signal a renewed push for dialogue, although no breakthrough agreement has been announced.