China mounts Gulf diplomatic push ahead of Trump–Xi APEC meeting
Beijing hosted Oman's sultan and Wang Yi met Saudi and Iranian officials, The Guardian reports, ahead of an expected Trump–Xi meeting at APEC in Shenzhen.
The story in focus
The Guardian reports China held a series of Gulf meetings in early November 2026: Xi Jinping hosted Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in Beijing, and Wang Yi met Saudi Arabia's Musaad bin Mohammed Al Aiban and Iran's Ali Bagheri Kani. The push precedes an anticipated Trump–Xi meeting at APEC in Shenzhen.
- Xi Jinping held talks with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in Beijing on Monday, a visit The Guardian describes as the first by an Omani head of state since diplomatic relations were established nearly 50 years ago.
- Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Saudi national security adviser Musaad bin Mohammed Al Aiban and Iran's deputy national security council secretary Ali Bagheri Kani.
- The meetings come before an anticipated Trump–Xi meeting at the APEC conference in Shenzhen on 18–19 November.
- Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said special envoy Zhai Jun would visit Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia in early to mid-November.
- According to a Chinese readout, Xi said the Middle East should not become an arena for great power rivalry.
Beijing's Gulf outreach
China held a flurry of meetings with Gulf leaders in early November, which The Guardian reports as a sign Beijing is stepping up diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. Xi Jinping's talks with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq on Monday were described as the first visit by an Omani head of state since the two countries established relations nearly 50 years ago.
In a Chinese readout of the meeting, Xi said the region should not become an arena for great power rivalry and geopolitical conflicts, adding that China was committed to stopping conflict and promoting peace. Foreign Minister Wang Yi held separate talks with Saudi Arabia's national security adviser, Musaad bin Mohammed Al Aiban, and Iran's deputy national security council secretary, Ali Bagheri Kani. Wang said China supported Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty and security.
Timing and envoys
The diplomatic activity precedes an anticipated meeting between Donald Trump and Xi at the APEC conference in Shenzhen on 18–19 November. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said special envoy Zhai Jun would visit Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia in early to mid-November.
The Guardian reports that China buys about 90% of Iran's crude oil exports and that Beijing cut crude imports by 30% between April and June, with June volumes at a decade low. It also cites a July Pew Research Center finding that China is viewed more favourably than the US in a majority of 36 countries surveyed.
Which Gulf officials did China's foreign minister meet in early November 2026?
Wang Yi met Saudi Arabia's national security adviser, Musaad bin Mohammed Al Aiban, and Iran's deputy national security council secretary, Ali Bagheri Kani, The Guardian reports.
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