China-Saudi Arabia-Iran trilateral meeting says Middle East should 'no longer be geopolitical arena' for great powers

By Rhod Mackenzie

During a meeting in Beijing on Friday, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister, stated that the people of the Middle East should have control over the fate of their region, and that it should no longer be a geopolitical arena for great powers. He met with Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji and the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani.

Wang, who is also the director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, stated that China consistently supports the people of the Middle East in independently exploring development paths. Additionally, China supports Middle Eastern countries in collaborating to resolve regional security issues. Furthermore, China supports Saudi Arabia and Iran in continuously advancing the process of improving their relations.

The first meeting of the China-Saudi Arabia-Iran trilateral joint committee concluded in Beijing on Friday.

China aims to use this trilateral meeting to strengthen the good-neighborly friendship between Saudi Arabia and Iran and promote peace and stability in the Middle East.

Wang suggested three ways to advance the process of improving relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

To start, he stressed the importance of adhering firmly to the strategic decision of reconciliation. The goal is for Saudi Arabia and Iran to continue building trust through dialogue and consultation, ultimately achieving a long-lasting and comprehensive friendly relationship.

Furthermore, he suggested further improvements in their relations. China welcomes Saudi Arabia and Iran to cooperate and exchange in areas such as economy, trade, security, and people-to-people exchanges. China is also prepared to strengthen exchanges with both sides to assist in enhancing relations.
Finally, he called for the rejection of external interference in improving relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Wang emphasised that the Middle East can no longer be an arena for great powers, and the fate of the region should be determined by its people.

During the trilateral meeting, Saudi Arabia and Iran expressed their commitment to fully implementing the Beijing Agreement reached in March.

China, Saudi Arabia, and Iran have expressed concerns about the current situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank of the Jordan River. They believe that it poses a threat to regional and international peace and security.

The three countries have called for an immediate cessation of military actions in the Gaza Strip and the provision of sustainable assistance to civilians. They also oppose the forced displacement of Palestinians. The three parties emphasised that any future arrangements for Palestine must reflect the will of the Palestinian people and support their right to establish a state and exercise self-determination.

Wang emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire and cessation of fighting in Gaza, the provision of humanitarian aid, and the resumption of Palestinian-Israeli negotiations. He stressed that any resolution to the conflict must respect the will of the Palestinian people and the legitimate concerns of regional countries, and should not deviate from a two-state solution.

Wang stated that China supports Saudi Arabia and Iran in jointly encouraging Islamic countries to take a stronger unified position on the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

During their meeting with Wang, Elkhereiji and Bagheri expressed gratitude to China for hosting the trilateral meeting. They also welcomed and supported China's greater role in the development of the Middle East.

On the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which falls on November 29th, China announced several practical actions. These include releasing a paper that outlines China's position on resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
On Friday, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Embassy of Palestine in China, and the Representative Office of the League of Arab States in Beijing held a commemoration.

Fariz Mahdawi, the Palestinian Ambassador to China and Head of the Arab Mission in China, expressed his appreciation for China's fair stance and positive role in the Palestine issue.