BEIJING – Chinese officials announced Wednesday their intention to deploy a diplomatic representative to the Middle East region as tensions and violence continue to mount across the area.
The announcement came from Foreign Minister Wang Yi during telephone discussions with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, according to official statements released by China’s foreign ministry.
During his conversation with the Saudi foreign minister, Wang praised the kingdom’s measured approach and commitment to seeking peaceful solutions to regional disputes, according to the Chinese ministry’s account of the call.
In his discussion with UAE officials, Wang emphasized that certain boundaries must be respected during conflicts, stating that the “red line” of protecting civilians in conflicts must not be crossed. He further stressed that attacks should not target non-military facilities, particularly those related to energy infrastructure, and called for ensuring the security of maritime shipping lanes.
The diplomatic outreach comes as Beijing seeks to expand its role as a mediator in international disputes while regional conflicts continue to destabilize the Middle East.
