BEIJING • China wants to deepen „strategic trust“ with Iran, the Chinese government’s top diplomat told Iran’s Foreign Minister yesterday, days before Saudi…
BEIJING • China wants to deepen „strategic trust“ with Iran, the Chinese government’s top diplomat told Iran’s Foreign Minister yesterday, days before Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince visits Beijing, underscoring China’s difficult Middle East balancing act.
Beijing has traditionally played a small role in Middle East conflicts or diplomacy despite its reliance on the region for oil, but it has been trying to raise its profile, especially in the Arab world.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman visited Beijing in 2017, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrives in China later this week.
However, China has had to walk a fine line as it also has close ties with Saudi Arabia’s regional foe, Iran.
Meeting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at a state guest house in Beijing, Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi said he had watched Mr Zarif’s Sunday speech at the Munich Security Conference, where he had accused Israel of looking for war.
