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China has stepped up its diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing U.S.-Israel war on Iran, holding separate high-level meetings with Iranian and Saudi officials while President Xi Jinping hosted Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in Beijing on November 2, 2026.

The meetings reflect Beijing’s renewed push for dialogue, a ceasefire and the restoration of safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, as the conflict continues to disrupt regional stability and international energy supplies.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and later held talks with Saudi National Security Adviser Musaad bin Mohammad Al Aiban.

During the discussions, Wang called on all parties to pursue a political solution rather than return to armed conflict, stressing that negotiations remain the most viable way to prevent further escalation.

The diplomatic activity coincided with Sultan Haitham’s state visit, during which Sultan Haitham and President Xi Jinping witnessed the signing of one agreement, 14 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and one cooperation protocol covering financial cooperation, trade, technology, investment and other sectors.

China Calls for Dialogue

During his meeting with Bagheri Kani, Wang reaffirmed Beijing’s support for Iran’s sovereignty and security, according to China’s Foreign Ministry. He said that dialogue and negotiations remained the only viable path forward as conflicts in the Middle East continued and risked spreading further across the region.

Wang urged all parties to approach the crisis with reason and pragmatism, prioritizing a political settlement over renewed military confrontation. He also stressed the importance of safeguarding regional energy security and the safety of international shipping routes.

China has consistently criticized the U.S. and Israel over the strikes on Iran, arguing that military action has undermined regional stability. Beijing has maintained close economic relations with Tehran and remains one of its most important trading partners, particularly in the energy sector.

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi called on Monday for the resolution of disputes in the Middle East through dialogue, the safeguarding of regional energy security and shipping routes, and the building of a new regional security framework to achieve lasting peace and stability. Wang, who is director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, made the remarks during talks in Beijing with Musaad bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Saudi Arabia’s minister of State, member of the Council of Ministers, and national security advisor. https://t.co/lZu5Yv0JRH

— China Daily (@ChinaDaily) November 2, 2026

Wang later met Saudi National Security Adviser Musaad bin Mohammad Al Aiban, calling for dialogue and negotiations to end the conflict while protecting regional energy supplies and maritime security. The meeting highlighted Beijing’s efforts to engage both sides of the Gulf and encourage a diplomatic approach to the crisis.

China’s diplomatic outreach comes after weeks of limited visible progress in its efforts to influence the conflict. However, the latest meetings suggest that Beijing is seeking a more active role as the war continues and concerns grow over its economic and security consequences.

China’s Foreign Ministry also announced that Zhai Jun, Beijing’s special envoy for Middle East affairs, would visit Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia during November as part of efforts to promote peace and reduce regional tensions.

Xi Hosts Oman’s Sultan for Landmark State Visit

While Wang held talks with Iranian and Saudi officials, Xi Jinping welcomed Sultan Haitham bin Tariq to Beijing for a two-day state visit that began on Sunday. It marks the first visit to China by an Omani head of state since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries in 1978.

The visit comes at a critical time for Oman, which occupies a strategically important position along the Strait of Hormuz, directly across the waterway from Iran. The strait is one of the world’s most important energy routes, carrying around one-fifth of global petroleum liquids consumption before the conflict severely disrupted maritime traffic.

Speaking during the meeting, Xi said the Middle East and Gulf region should not become an arena for major-power rivalry or geopolitical conflict. He said China was ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Arab and Gulf countries to help restore regional peace and achieve long-term stability.

Xi also described China-Oman relations as being at a new historical starting point, calling for stronger political trust and expanded practical cooperation between the two countries.

Sultan Haitham welcomed closer coordination with Beijing, saying the visit provided a new opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations and advance shared interests. He also expressed appreciation for China’s positions on issues affecting the Middle East and called for continued cooperation to support international security, stability and development.

China and Oman Call for Ceasefire and Safe Navigation

In a joint statement issued during the visit, China and Oman called on the United States and Iran to pursue a peaceful resolution, achieve a comprehensive ceasefire and return to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. They also urged Washington and Tehran to resume dialogue and negotiations towards a comprehensive agreement covering the nuclear issue.

The two countries also stressed the need to restore normal and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and agreed to maintain communication on matters concerning the strategic waterway, which remains essential to international energy supplies and commercial shipping.

The issue is particularly important for China, one of the world’s largest energy importers. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have increased concerns over energy security, shipping costs, and the stability of global supply chains.

Oman is an important partner in this regard because several of its ports are located outside the Strait of Hormuz, giving the country strategic importance for maritime trade and regional logistics. Its position also allows Muscat to maintain contact with both Iran and Gulf Arab states.

The conflict has therefore increased the importance of China-Oman cooperation, particularly in energy security and maritime transportation. Oman has traditionally maintained diplomatic channels with different regional powers and has played a role in facilitating communication between countries that do not maintain direct relations.

Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi has also called for a new regional security framework based on cooperation among Gulf states, including Iran. In a recent address at Cambridge University, he argued that restoring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz would be difficult without a pragmatic understanding between Tehran and Washington.

Albusaidi criticized regional security arrangements that depend heavily on external military powers while treating Iran as an inherent adversary. He said the Gulf states themselves ultimately bear responsibility for developing a regional security structure that includes all eight countries bordering the Gulf.

China-Oman Cooperation

Beyond the regional security discussions, Xi and Sultan Haitham oversaw the signing of cooperation documents covering a broad range of economic and technological sectors. The agreements include cooperation in artificial intelligence, green energy, supply chains, digital technologies, satellite technology and the BeiDou navigation system.

The two countries also signed a currency swap agreement and documents related to central bank digital currencies and investment in supply chains. Discussions covered logistics, digital commerce, food security, advanced manufacturing and closer integration between ports and special economic zones.

The agreements reflect efforts by both countries to expand their economic relationship beyond traditional energy trade. Oman is seeking to diversify its economy under its Vision 2040 development plan, while China is looking to strengthen its commercial and infrastructure links across the Gulf.

China has been Oman’s largest trading partner since 2018, while Oman is China’s fourth-largest trading partner among Arab countries. Omani exports to China are mainly crude oil, liquefied natural gas and petrochemicals. China, in turn, supplies Oman with machinery, electrical equipment, construction materials, batteries and solar panels.

The two countries have also sought to align Oman’s Vision 2040 development strategy with China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Their cooperation has increasingly focused on infrastructure, industrial development, renewable energy and the digital economy.

China’s Role in Regional Stability

China’s latest diplomatic activity comes as the conflict continues to threaten regional security and international trade. The disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has placed pressure on energy markets and raised concerns about the possibility of further escalation involving Iran, the United States and regional countries.

Beijing has strong economic interests in preventing the conflict from spreading. Its commercial relationship with Iran, energy imports from the Gulf and dependence on international maritime routes give it a direct stake in restoring stability.

Although Beijing maintains close relations with Tehran and has expanded its diplomatic engagement with Gulf Arab states, bringing the United States and Iran back to negotiations will require cooperation from both sides.

The meetings in Beijing, Xi’s talks with Sultan Haitham and the planned regional tour by China’s Middle East envoy indicate that Beijing is seeking to become more actively involved in diplomatic efforts. By engaging Iran, Saudi Arabia and Oman, China is attempting to use its relationships across the region to encourage negotiations and prevent the conflict from developing into a wider regional crisis.