China ups diplomatic efforts in the Gulf
Xi said that the Gulf should not become an arena for great-power rivalry, even as Beijing steps up its Iran war diplomacy. While American politicians made a final push toward Election Day, Chinese leader Xi Jinping hosted Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in Beijing. Xi said that the Gulf should not become an arena for great-power rivalry, even as Beijing steps up its Iran war diplomacy, with the world’s second-largest economy vulnerable to high energy and shipping prices. Despite counting China as its largest trade partner, Haitham’s two-day visit to Beijing was the first by an Omani head of state since the countries established ties in 1978. A joint statement from the two leaders called for safe navigation to resume through the Strait of Hormuz and for Washington and Tehran to return to their June truce. Later this month, Beijing’s Middle East envoy will head to Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia as China also looks to build up oil buffers at home: Its energy regulator told oil and gas majors last month to “ do everything possible ” to expand supply under a 10-year plan, citing ongoing geopolitical turmoil, according to Trivium China. Record output and stockpiles have helped shield Chin
Xi said that the Gulf should not become an arena for great-power rivalry, even as Beijing steps up its Iran war diplomacy. While American politicians made a final push toward Election Day, Chinese leader Xi Jinping hosted Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in Beijing. Xi said that the Gulf should not become an arena for great-power rivalry, even as Beijing steps up its Iran war diplomacy, with the world’s second-largest economy vulnerable to high energy and shipping prices. Despite counting China as its largest trade partner, Haitham’s two-day visit to Beijing was the first by an Omani head of state since the countries established ties in 1978.
A joint statement from the two leaders called for safe navigation to resume through the Strait of Hormuz and for Washington and Tehran to return to their June truce. Later this month, Beijing’s Middle East envoy will head to Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia as China also looks to build up oil buffers at home: Its energy regulator told oil and gas majors last month to “ do everything possible ” to expand supply under a 10-year plan, citing ongoing geopolitical turmoil, according to Trivium China. Record output and stockpiles have helped shield China from recent shocks, but the harder-to-reach reserves it is now targeting cost more to produce.