Xi Jinping's Comfortable Position in Global Arena: China's Role in Restoring Diplomatic Ties between Saudi Arabia, Iran
Date
3/13/2023 7:43:52 AM
(MENAFN) Among world leaders, Chinese President Xi Jinping appears to be in a comfortable position, having been re-elected unanimously for another five years and re-elected as head of the Central Military Commission and the Chinese Communist Party. Beijing's involvement in restoring diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran is not surprising, given its interest in defusing their tensions and ending the Yemen conflict, with substantial leverage over Tehran.
Recently, Beijing sponsored an accord between Saudi Arabia and Iran to restore diplomatic ties, which included the reopening of embassies and the return to a security cooperation framework they signed in 2001. The accord also mentioned reviving cooperation agreements signed in 1998 in various fields such as trade, investment, technology, science, culture, and sports. This development has major implications for the Middle East and the global arena, and China's role in these negotiations could raise concerns in Washington, given its political and economic clout.
While Washington remains confident that its security relations with the Gulf states are yet unrivalled, China's strategic dimensions cannot be ignored. However, the rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran could be welcomed by the Biden administration, which was indirectly involved in the negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear weapons program in Vienna.
In any case, China's involvement in restoring diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran is likely to be closely monitored, given its role as a global power and its growing interest in the Middle East.
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