China will deploy its special envoy for Middle East affairs to the region to assist in de-escalating the ongoing tensions, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed the upcoming mission. She emphasized that Special Envoy Zhai Jun will visit the Middle East in the near future to engage in active diplomatic efforts aimed at cooling down the conflict.
Mao Ning noted that China has been engaged in intensive mediation efforts since the outbreak of hostilities. "In particular, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held telephone conversations regarding this issue with his counterparts from Russia, Iran, Oman, France, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates," the spokesperson stated. During these discussions, Wang Yi stressed that military operations must cease immediately and called for all parties to return to dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible to prevent further escalation and the spread of the conflict.
China's diplomatic intervention reflects its growing role as a mediator in global hotspots, following its successful facilitation of the rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran earlier in 2023. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Beijing has consistently advocated for a two-state solution and the protection of civilians in the region, positioning itself as a neutral arbiter in the complex Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape.
