Following several days of deliberation in Beijing, China welcomed Saudi Arabia and Iran’s agreement to resume bilateral diplomatic relations on Saturday.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry stated that Beijing looks forward to closer communication and conversation between the two nations, and that China is prepared to continue playing a positive and constructive role in assisting such efforts.
“The talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran in Beijing yielded significant outcomes thanks to the united efforts of all parties involved,” the ministry said.
From March 6 to 10, China arranged discussions between Saudi Arabia and Iran delegations. The Saudi team was led by Minister of State and National Security Advisor Musaad bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, while the Iranian delegation was led by Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.
The talks between Riyadh and Tehran were facilitated by Wang Yi, a Chinese top diplomat and member of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, according to a statement posted on the ministry’s official website.
“Saudi Arabia and Iran committed to adhere to the aims and principles of the UN Charter, resolve issues between them via dialogue and diplomacy, respect state sovereignty, and not meddle in the internal affairs of states,” it stated.
“They agreed to resume diplomatic relations, and continue out collaboration in numerous spheres. The three countries emphasized their desire to make every effort to improve regional and international peace and security.”
Beijing hoped that the two countries’ agreement, as well as the formation of a roadmap and schedule for strengthening relations, would offer a firm platform for the two countries to launch a new chapter in their bilateral relations.
After several days of intense negotiations between Saudi and Iranian officials, facilitated by China, a tripartite statement was issued on Friday.
Following the killing of Saudi Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, an enraged mob attacked the Saudi diplomatic office in Tehran in January 2016.
According to Chinese media, it was China’s President Xi Jinping’s initiative to calm diplomatic tensions between Riyadh and Tehran following his visit to Saudi Arabia in December last year, and the Iranian President later visited Beijing at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart.
According to China, the pact will allow the region’s nations to be free of outside intervention and manage their own future.
“I want to emphasize that China has no vested interest in the Middle East. We accept the Middle Eastern countries’ status as the region’s masters and oppose geopolitical competition in the region “Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, stated.
“China has no intention of filling the so-called vacuum or establishing exclusive blocs. China has always believed that the future of the Middle East should be in the hands of the region’s governments “He went on to say.
Beijing has pledged to continue its support for achieving long-term peace in the Middle East.
“China constantly supports the people of the Middle East in exploring their own development pathways, and supports Middle Eastern countries in settling disagreements via conversation and consultation in order to jointly build long-term peace and stability in the region,” it added.