China denies hidden motives after brokering talks between Saudi Arabia, Iran

China is claiming it had no ulterior motive in brokering Friday’s peace talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia that saw the two Middle Eastern countries re-establish diplomatic ties after years of hostilities.

A spokesman for the country’s foreign ministry said on Saturday that China “does not pursue any self-interest in the Middle East.”

In this photo released by Xinhua news agency, Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, shakes hands with Saudi national security adviser Mussad bin Mohammad al-Aiban, left, as China’s most senior diplomat Wang Yi , center, looks for a photo during a closed meeting held in Beijing, Saturday, March 11, 2023. (Luo Xiaoguang/Xinhua via AP)

“We respect the stature of the countries of the Middle East as masters of the region and oppose geopolitical competition in the Middle East,” the statement said. “China has no intention and will not seek to fill [a] Put the so-called vacuum or special blocks.”

Friday’s agreement to re-establish Iran-Saudi ties and reopen embassies after seven years was seen as a major diplomatic victory for China, as the Gulf Arab state seeks the United States to reduce its presence in the Middle East. See as doing.

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Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said the agreement showed that China was a “reliable mediator” that “honestly fulfilled its duties as the host.”

China is seen as a neutral party, having strong ties to both Iran and Saudi Arabia, as well as Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Saturday’s comments came after China last month hosted Iran’s hardline President Ebrahim Raisi in a bid to strengthen ties between the two countries.

China is also a top buyer of Saudi oil. Chinese leader Xi Jinping visited Riyadh in December for meetings with oil-rich Gulf Arab nations vital to China’s energy supply.

In this photo released by the official website of the Iranian President’s Office, President Ibrahim Raisi shakes hands with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at an official reception in Beijing, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. (Iranian Presidency Office via AP)

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Xi, whose administration has warned of “conflict and confrontation” with the US in recent days, was credited in a trilateral statement for facilitating Iran-Saudi talks through a “noble initiative” and personal formally agreed to sponsor the talks that have been going on since Monday. through Friday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.