China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday called for maintaining the momentum in the negotiations between the United States and Iran during a meeting in Beijing with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. The talks, held at the Chinese capital, focused on regional stability, energy security, and bilateral cooperation.
Wang Yi Emphasizes Dialogue Over Confrontation
According to the Xinhua news agency, Wang stated, "The current ceasefire remains fragile, but talking is better than fighting, and dialogue is better than confrontation." He expressed Beijing's willingness to work with Saudi Arabia to ease tensions in the region and promote lasting peace. The remarks come amid ongoing discussions between Tehran and Washington, which have been complicated by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Strait of Hormuz and Energy Security
During their meeting, Wang and Prince Faisal discussed the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The Saudi Press Agency reported that the waterway "contributes to supporting energy security and the stability of the global economy." Iran shut down the strait four months ago following the outbreak of conflict with Israel and the United States. Fully reopening the waterway, through which a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas used to pass, has become a key aspect of the ongoing negotiations.
China, a major importer of energy from the Gulf, has repeatedly called for an end to the Iran conflict. Last month, the Chinese foreign ministry stated that a solution would benefit the United States, Iran, and the rest of the world.
Bilateral and Regional Cooperation
Wang and Prince Faisal also discussed the latest regional and international developments, as well as efforts to de-escalate tensions and promote security and stability. The talks covered ways for the two countries to enhance economic, trade, and investment cooperation, and to strengthen ties in energy, industry, supply chains, and advanced technologies.
Earlier, Prince Faisal met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng. The meetings underscore the deepening relationship between China and Saudi Arabia, particularly in the context of regional security and economic collaboration.
