ME should not become great power battleground: Xi

BEIJING, Nov 2: The Middle East and Gulf region should not become a battleground for great-power rivalry and China is willing to work with Arab nations to achieve lasting peace, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Oman's sultan on Monday.

China has traditionally played a low-key diplomatic role in the Middle East, but has stepped up efforts to try to help end tensions amid the US-Israeli war on Iran, which has snarled the Strait of Hormuz and driven up global energy and shipping costs.

Xi told Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said that the world is undergoing profound changes.

"The Middle East Gulf region should not become an arena for great-power rivalry and geopolitical conflict. Peace and stability in the region require joint nurturing and protection by all parties," Xi said, according to China's Foreign Ministry.

China has consistently been committed to stopping the war, and hopes to contribute "wisdom and solutions to resolving the region's security dilemmas," he added.

China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Arab countries, including the Gulf Cooperation Council states, to work together toward restoring peace and achieving lasting stability and security, Xi said.

In a 20-point joint statement, both sides said they agree that normal and safe navigation should resume in the Strait of Hormuz. 

The countries also called for the US and Iran to pursue peaceful options, return to the agreement struck in June aimed at ending the conflict and restart dialogue.

China's Foreign Ministry said later on Monday that Zhai Jun, its special envoy to the Middle East, would visit Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia this month.

Haitham arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a two-day visit, the first by an Omani head of state since the countries established ties in 1978.

Haitham told Xi his government had deep appreciation for China's positions on key issues concerning the region, Omani state media reported.�" REUTERS