Xi Jinping: "Resuming War in Middle East is Unacceptable"

During a bilateral meeting held this Wednesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a forceful call for peace in the Middle East, noting that the region is currently at “a critical moment of transition between war and peace.”

These statements were made during the Russian leader’s state visit to Beijing, where the two powers are commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation.

Xi Jinping highlighted the urgency of achieving a comprehensive end to the fighting in the region, emphasizing that “resuming the war is unacceptable,” and that maintaining dialogue between the conflicting parties is crucial.

The leader of the Asian giant was emphatic in pointing out that military escalation not only causes incalculable humanitarian suffering but also profoundly destabilizes global economic dynamics. In this context, Xi stressed that a swift cessation of hostilities in the Middle East would contribute significantly to reducing the negative impact that the clashes have had on energy stability, supply chains, and international trade.

The Middle East remains a key region for the global supply of hydrocarbons, and any military escalation has a direct impact on oil and gas prices worldwide.

“I have presented a four-point proposal to safeguard and promote peace and stability in the Middle East, with the hope of further consolidating the consensus of the international community, thereby contributing to reducing tensions, stopping the war, and promoting peace,” the Chinese president stated.

Although the president did not detail the specific points of his proposal at that time, the initiative is part of China's growing role as a global diplomatic actor. This follows Beijing's successful mediation in restoring diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023, a milestone that positioned China as a credible mediator in one of the most volatile regions on the planet.