Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud in Beijing on Tuesday, reaffirming China’s support for dialogue as a means to manage the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Wang emphasized the importance of sustained negotiations despite the fragility of the current ceasefire, stating that “talking is better than fighting, and dialogue is better than confrontation.”
The meeting took place against the backdrop of recent developments in regional diplomacy, including a memorandum of understanding signed on June 17 between the United States and Iran. The 14-point agreement calls for an immediate and permanent cessation of all military activities, with Iran agreeing to guarantee safe passage for commercial vessels at no cost for 60 days, while the U.S. committed to releasing frozen Iranian assets.
Wang stressed that the priority now is to uphold and implement this agreement and to maintain momentum toward a comprehensive resolution. He also expressed China’s readiness to collaborate with Saudi Arabia to reduce tensions and promote lasting peace and stability across the region. Additionally, Wang voiced Beijing’s willingness to support Saudi Arabia’s enhanced role in both regional and international affairs, notably regarding global governance.
Prince Faisal welcomed China’s constructive efforts in aiding de-escalation within the Middle East. The discussions also explored avenues to deepen economic, trade, and investment cooperation, spanning sectors such as energy, industry, supply chain management, and advanced technologies, according to a statement by Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry.
Wang’s engagement with Saudi Arabia is part of a broader diplomatic outreach to Middle Eastern nations. Last week, he spoke with Pakistani Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, who updated him on the latest round of Iran-U.S. negotiations. Wang underscored the need to strengthen the ceasefire and swiftly restore normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage whose traffic resumed following the memorandum’s signing.
In conversations with Iranian leadership, Wang called for the support of regional efforts to establish a new security framework based on genuine strategic autonomy, asserting that the Middle East “should no longer be an arena for major power rivalry or a victim of geopolitical manoeuvring.” Similar themes were conveyed during his recent meeting with Ali Mohammed Hammad al-Shamsi, secretary general of the UAE’s Supreme National Security Council.
Meanwhile, China has postponed the second China-Arab States Summit, originally slated for mid-June in Beijing, due to instability in the region. Technical negotiations between Iran and the U.S. began in Doha on June 25 but have encountered obstacles despite the goal of reaching a final agreement within 60 days. The talks are reportedly divided into multiple working groups addressing Iran’s nuclear program, diplomatic relations, financial matters, and the release of frozen assets.
Tensions remain strained, with both sides exchanging hostile rhetoric following the fragile ceasefire. Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated that while dialogue remains the priority, Tehran is also “prepared for war.” Iran further asserted it would solely conduct mine clearance in the Strait of Hormuz, rejecting French proposals for a joint operation including Oman and Paris.