China Hosts Iran, Oman in Push for Middle East Dialogue — SkimNews
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- China hosted senior Iranian security official Ali Bagheri Kani in Beijing, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi calling dialogue the "only viable path forward" and reaffirming support for Iran's sovereignty.
- President Xi Jinping received Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq for a landmark state visit, the first by an Omani head of state since diplomatic relations began in 1978.
- China and Oman signed 14 cooperation documents covering AI, green energy, and supply chains, along with a currency swap agreement, and jointly called for safe navigation to resume through the Strait of Hormuz.
- China's special envoy Zhai Jun will visit Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia this month, reflecting a step-up in diplomatic activity after a reported recent lull.
- Al Jazeera's correspondent reported that China, frustrated by stalled progress, is seeking to re-enter the diplomatic process, with the conflict making its relationship with Oman a higher priority due to energy import disruptions.
Why it matters: China, the world's largest energy importer and Iran's biggest trading partner, is directly intervening to protect its supply chains. The joint call with Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for one-fifth of global energy exports, aims to stabilize the flow of oil crucial to China's economy.
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