China hosts Iran and Saudi officials for Middle East peace talks

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and President Xi Jinping hosted top officials from Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Oman in Beijing on November 2, 2026, positioning China as a key mediator amid escalating US-Israeli military tensions with Iran. Warning against great-power rivalry and severe disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Beijing advocated for political dialogue and announced a shuttle diplomacy tour by Middle East envoy Zhai Jun.

Beijing hosts Chinese diplomacy with Iran and Saudi Arabia

• ▪Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held separate meetings in Beijing on November 2, 2026, with Iranian official Ali Bagheri Kani and Saudi National Security Adviser Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban to urge political solutions to the Middle East conflict
• ▪China announced on November 2, 2026, that Zhai Jun, its special envoy to the Middle East, will conduct shuttle diplomacy visits to Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia during November 2026 to promote peace talks
• ▪Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi affirmed during talks on November 2, 2026, that China supports Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty and security
• ▪Saudi National Security Adviser Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban delivered a letter from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Chinese President Xi Jinping
• ▪Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed during talks with Saudi official Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban on November 2, 2026, that all parties must safeguard energy security and shipping lane safety in the Gulf

State visit of Omani Sultan to Beijing

• ▪Chinese President Xi Jinping told Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said on November 2, 2026, that the Middle East Gulf region should not become an arena for great-power rivalry and geopolitical conflict
• ▪Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said arrived for a state visit, marking the first visit to China by an Omani head of state since diplomatic ties were established in 1978
• ▪Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said stated on November 2, 2026, that Oman supports Chinese peace proposals for the Middle East and seeks a preferential bilateral trade and investment agreement with China

Regional instability and economic impact

• ▪The Middle East conflict, triggered by U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran over eight months prior, has snarls and disruptions affecting regional stability as of November 2026
• ▪Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated on November 2, 2026, that the Middle East regional situation has reached a critical crossroads between war and peace
• ▪Military conflict in the region has snarled navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, driving up global energy costs and shipping expenses as of November 2, 2026