China has formally stepped into the escalating situation in the Middle East. According to an official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chinese Special Envoy Zhai Jun visited Iran on November 8, holding discussions with Deputy Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Bagheri, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lavānchi, and Assistant Foreign Minister and Director General of the Persian Gulf Department Alibek, focusing on Sino-Iranian relations and the current state of affairs in the Middle East.
Zhai Jun’s visit to Iran on November 8 represents a significant diplomatic move by China during a critical juncture in regional tensions. This is not an isolated act but part of a broader, systematic diplomatic strategy. The core of the current crisis lies in the continuous escalation of U.S.-Iran tensions. The United States has deployed multiple aircraft carriers in the region and established the “Iron Gate” task force to block Iranian overland transport routes. Meanwhile, President Trump has alternated between statements advocating negotiations and issuing threats of military action. In response, Iran has announced it will lift restrictions on missile range, stating it no longer trusts American "paper commitments," and insists that the U.S. first fulfill seven conditions before advancing further.
The two sides remain at an impasse, with the situation at risk of spiraling out of control. It is within this context that Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced on November 2 that China’s special envoy and special representative would simultaneously conduct shuttle diplomacy across countries in the Gulf, the Red Sea, and the Horn of Africa, with the aim of promoting dialogue and de-escalating tensions. Zhai Jun’s visit to Iran marks the first leg of this diplomatic initiative. China is systematically building a multilateral mediation network that maintains close contact with Iran, coordinates positions with Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, and responds to signals of outreach from the United States.
From a series of recent statements, China’s position on Middle East issues remains consistent: opposition to the use of force, respect for national sovereignty, adherence to dialogue and negotiation, and efforts to return all parties to the framework of prior agreements in order to restart talks as soon as possible. China advocates constructing a new regional security architecture based on the principles of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security—offering an alternative to zero-sum thinking. This approach stands in clear contrast to the U.S. strategy of “carriers + blockades + threats.” While the U.S. pursues maximum pressure, China is advancing a path of mediation and dialogue. The choice between these two approaches is becoming increasingly evident to regional actors. Zhai Jun’s visit to Iran signifies China’s transition from rhetorical engagement to tangible diplomatic action in the Middle East.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1881370214004740/
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