Facilitate the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran to show China's responsibility as a major power

With the support of China, Saudi Arabia and Iran held a dialogue in Beijing from March 6 to 10. On the 10th, the two countries reached a Beijing agreement, and the three parties signed and issued a joint statement announcing that the two sides agreed to resume diplomatic relations and carry out cooperation in various fields.

Many experts on the Middle East said in an interview with the reporter of Xinhua News Agency that the two countries had made peace and agreed to resume diplomatic relations, which fully demonstrated China's role as a promoter of security and stability in the Middle East, a partner of development and prosperity, and a promoter of unity and self-reliance, as well as China's role as a major power.

Experts said that the major achievements of the dialogue in Beijing are not only the common needs of the interests of both sides, but also inseparable from China's active promotion. China has maintained friendly relations with countries in the Middle East and has unique advantages in dealing with hot issues and sensitive issues in the Middle East.

Niu Xinchun, director of the Middle East Institute of the Chinese Academy of Modern International Relations, pointed out that promoting peace and promoting talks is China's consistent position on international hot issues. Compared with some western countries, China maintains friendly relations with the countries in the Middle East, and does not choose sides to stand in line, and does not pull a partisan line. Therefore, as a mediator and mediator, China has credibility.

"It is no accident that China successfully mediated Saudi Arabia's relations with Iran this time. China has long held a just and sincere position, so it can become a mediator that all parties can trust." Ding Long, a professor at the Middle East Research Institute of Shanghai Foreign Studies University, said that China was able to facilitate the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which is guided by both grand ideas and concrete actions.

China has put forward and promoted the implementation and effectiveness of global security initiatives, adhered to the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and advocated a new security path of dialogue without confrontation, partnership without alliance, and win-win rather than zero-sum. On the Middle East issue, China welcomes and supports regional countries including Saudi Arabia and Iran to carry out security dialogue and independently build a Middle East security architecture that is in line with regional realities and takes into account the interests of all parties.

Since 2019, China has held two sessions of the Middle East Security Forum, contributing Chinese wisdom and building broad consensus to promote security and stability in the Middle East. "These diplomatic actions have paved the way for China to successfully promote the reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iraq. It can be said that this dialogue is a successful practice of vigorously implementing the global security initiative."

Experts pointed out that China has no selfish interests in the Middle East region, respects the status of the Middle East countries as masters, opposes geopolitical competition in the Middle East, and has no intention or intention of filling the so-called "vacuum" or engaging in exclusive circles. China has always believed that the future of the Middle East should be in the hands of the Middle East countries, and has always supported the Middle East people to independently explore the path of development, support the Middle East countries to resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation, and jointly promote long-term peace and stability in the region.

Wu Sike, China's former envoy to the Middle East and former ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, said that China and the Middle East countries have a long relationship and are good friends and partners. "The dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Iran in Beijing can achieve significant results. It is the recognition and trust of China's sincere attitude and China's policy on the Middle East issue that highlights China's international influence."

Wu Sike pointed out that Saudi Arabia and Iran have taken a historic step, made clear the road map and timetable for improving relations, and laid a solid foundation for the follow-up cooperation between the two sides. This has also set an example for regional countries to resolve conflicts and differences through dialogue and consultation and achieve good-neighborly friendship, which will help regional countries get rid of external interference and take their future and destiny in their own hands.

"The Middle East is one of the regions with the most complex security situation in the world. The handshake between Saudi Arabia and Iraq has proved that no matter how complex the problems are and how sharp the challenges are, as long as we carry out equal dialogue in the spirit of mutual respect, we will be able to find mutually acceptable solutions," Ding Long said.

Ding Long said that the Shai-Beijing dialogue has made a good start. "I believe that all countries in the Middle East will also further carry forward the spirit of independence, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and work together to build a more peaceful, stable and prosperous Middle East. I believe that China will also continue to play a constructive role in properly handling the hot issues in the world today and show the responsibility of a major country according to the wishes of all countries."