Xi Jinping warns against great-power conflict in the Gulf as China, Oman eye trade pact

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned against great-power rivalry in the Middle East during a summit with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in Beijing, stating the Gulf should not become an arena for great-power conflict. The two leaders discussed a preferential bilateral trade and investment agreement, as China is Oman's largest trade partner.

Chinese President Xi Jinping told Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq on Monday that the Middle East and Gulf region should not become a battleground for great-power rivalry, and that China is willing to work with Arab nations to achieve lasting peace. The meeting took place during the sultan's state visit to Beijing, the first by an Omani head of state since the countries established ties in 1978. Xi said the world is undergoing 'profound changes unseen in a century' and that peace and stability in the region require joint nurturing by all parties. China has traditionally played a low-key diplomatic role in the Middle East but has stepped up efforts amid the US-Israeli war on Iran, which has snarled the Strait of Hormuz and driven up global energy costs. Last week, China's Foreign Ministry said it would dispatch special envoys to the Middle East to promote de-escalation. Sultan Haitham expressed openness to a preferential bilateral trade and investment agreement with China, saying such a deal would open new avenues for trade and investment. China is Oman's largest trade partner, and Oman exports crude oil and energy products to China while seeking to develop renewable energy supply chains and digital commerce.