China's Xi says Middle East should not become battleground for great power rivalry

AI Summary

Chinese President Xi Jinping told Oman’s sultan that the Middle East and Gulf should not become arenas for great-power rivalry, and said China would work with Arab nations for lasting peace. His remarks come amid the US-Israeli war on Iran, which has disrupted the Strait of Hormuz and raised global energy and shipping costs.

BEIJING/DUBAI, Nov 2 (Reuters) - The Middle East and Gulf region should not become a battleground for great-power rivalry and China is willing to work with Arab nations to achieve lasting peace, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Oman's sultan on Monday. China has traditionally played a low-key diplomatic role in the Middle East, but has stepped up efforts to try to help end tensions amid the US-Israeli war on Iran,which has snarled the Strait of Hormuz and driven up global energy and shipping costs.