China's Wang Yi calls for dialogue to resolve Middle East conflict

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told an Iranian security official on Monday that all parties in the Middle East conflict should pursue political solutions rather than return to arms, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua. Wang made the remarks in Beijing to Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of the Iran Supreme National Security Council. He also said China supports Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty and security.

Earlier on Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Omani leader Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said that the Middle East and Gulf region should not become a battleground for great-power rivalry. In a joint statement issued afterward, Muscat said it supports Chinese peace proposals for the Middle East and looks forward to a greater role by Beijing in achieving lasting stability in the region.

China, which is pressing for a bigger diplomatic role in the Middle East, also announced that its special envoy to the Middle East would visit Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia in November. The report did not name the envoy or give dates for the trip.