Beijing will send a special envoy to the Middle East in the near future to engage with relevant parties and mitigate escalating conflicts, according to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The announcement comes amid heightened concerns over the potential spillover of regional hostilities.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated at a daily press conference on Tuesday that China is "highly concerned" about the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and surrounding areas. He emphasized the need for differences to be resolved through dialogue and negotiation.
Guo specifically expressed concern about the conflict's potential transmission to the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region. "China will soon send a special envoy to visit countries in the regions to strengthen communication with relevant parties, promote contact and dialogue, help ease tensions and prevent the situation from deteriorating further," he said.
This diplomatic initiative follows recent high-level meetings aimed at de-escalation. On Monday, top officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan convened with Iranian officials in Tehran. Concurrently, Yemen's Houthi forces launched new attacks on Saudi Arabia, while Egypt approved defense support for the Gulf kingdom. Tensions between the United States and Iran have also intensified recently.
The strategic importance of regional stability was underscored last week when the foreign ministers of China and Djibouti met in Beijing. Both parties agreed that easing tensions in the Middle East is crucial for addressing security challenges in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
