Chinese President gave preference to Saudi Arabia over Iran during his

Berlin/Buckinghamshire/Aden: Chinese President Xi Jinping, during his visit to the countries in the Middle East, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia. He also proposed to hold discussions with Iran regarding the dispute over islands in the Persian Gulf. During the meeting, in the presence of Xi Jinping, the GCC accused Iran of supporting regional terrorism and arms trafficking. A German think tank claims that this is one of the reasons that the Chinese President has decided to give more importance to Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, there are reports that Chinese diplomats have visited Yemen and held a meeting with Saleh’s government which is known to be supported by Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries.

The US urged the Middle Eastern countries to increase oil production to mitigate the energy crises due to the Russia-Ukraine war. However, Saudi Arabia refused to do so, which has caused tensions between them and the US. In such circumstances, Chinese President Xi Jinping decided to seize an opportunity and meet with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to establish strategic cooperation with Saudi Arabia. He attended the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held under the leadership of Saudi Arabia and supported the stand of the Middle Eastern countries. President Xi Jinping also proposed to discuss the ownership dispute between Iran and UAE for the islands in the Persian Gulf. In the GCC meeting, Iran was accused of supporting terrorism and arms trafficking, to which President Xi Jinping did not show any objection.

Anguished by the stand taken by China, Iran summoned the Chinese ambassador. There are views that even China’s stand in the GCC meeting has no impact on China’s policies towards Iran. However, on the other hand, China’s silence is considered an endorsement of the accusation against Iran. The German think tank claims that China has given a message to Iran by aligning with Saudi Arabia.

China opened its embassy in Iran on Friday, which shows that relations are not strained. However, China is trying to give a signal to Iran by deputing a delegation to Yemen to hold talks with the Saudi-backed government of Saleh. Meanwhile, Iran is supporting the Houthi rebels, which are in conflict with the Saleh government and Saudi Arabia.

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