Mideast: China willing to deepen Sino-Saudi ties

中东局势：中国愿深化中沙关系

President Xi Jinping called on Monday for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and a cessation of hostilities in the Middle East and the Gulf region, highlighting that normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz should be maintained.

2026年4月20日下午，国家主席习近平应约同沙特阿拉伯王储兼首相穆罕默德通电话时强调，中东和海湾地区应立即实现全面停火止战，并应保持霍尔木兹海峡的正常通行。

Xi made the remarks during a telephone conversation with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud upon the latter's request. Both leaders exchanged views on bilateral ties and the current situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region.

双方就双边关系及中东、海湾地区当前局势交换了意见。

On the Middle East situation, Xi emphasized that China advocates an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, supports all efforts conducive to restoring peace, and insists on resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means.

关于中东局势，习近平强调，中方主张立即、全面停火止战，支持一切有利于恢复和平的努力，坚持通过政治外交途径化解争端。

He said that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open for normal passage, which is in the common interest of countries in the region as well as the international community.

习近平指出，霍尔木兹海峡应该保持正常通行，这符合地区国家和国际社会共同利益。

China supports countries in the region in building a common homeland of good-neighborliness, development, security and cooperation, taking control of their own future and destiny, and promoting long-term peace and stability in the region, Xi said.

中方支持地区国家构建睦邻、发展、安全、合作的共同家园，把前途命运掌握在自己手中，促进地区长治久安。

The Saudi crown prince said the current conflicts in the Middle East have undermined the security of countries in the Gulf region and have had a severe impact on the global energy supply and the world economy.

穆罕默德王储表示，当前中东战事损害海湾国家安全，严重影响世界能源供应和经济运行。

He said that Saudi Arabia is committed to resolving conflicts and disputes through dialogue, and hopes to prevent the situation from escalating.

他强调，沙特致力于通过对话解决矛盾分歧，希望避免局势升级。

Calling China a responsible major country, he said that it consistently upholds a fair stance and supports good-neighborliness, dialogue and cooperation among countries in the Middle East.

穆罕默德王储称中国是负责任的世界大国，一贯秉持公正立场，支持中东国家睦邻友好、对话合作。

Saudi Arabia is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to maintain ceasefire, prevent the resurgence of hostilities, ensure the safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and jointly seek ways to achieve long-term peace and stability in the region, he said.

沙特愿同中方加强沟通协调，维护停火局面，防止战火重燃，确保霍尔木兹海峡航行安全和自由，共同寻找实现地区长治久安的办法。

The phone conversation came as the Middle East situation remains tense since the United States and Israel jointly launched military strikes on Iran on Feb 28, triggering a sharp escalation in conflicts across the Middle East and hitting the world economy and energy security.

此次通话正值中东局势持续紧张之际。自2月28日美以联合对伊朗发动军事打击以来，中东冲突急剧升级，波及世界经济与能源安全。

A two-week ceasefire was achieved between the warring parties on April 8, followed by lengthy talks between the Iranian and US delegations in Islamabad, Pakistan, on April 11 and 12.

4月8日冲突各方达成为期两周的停火，随后伊朗与美国代表团于4月11日至12日在巴基斯坦伊斯兰堡举行长时间会谈。

After the peace negotiations in Islamabad collapsed, the US imposed its own blockade on the waterway.

在伊斯兰堡和谈破裂后，美国对该航道实施了单方面封锁。

Since the conflict in the Middle East began, China has been working to help bring about a ceasefire and put an end to the crisis through diplomatic efforts.

自中东冲突爆发以来，中方始终通过外交努力推动停火止战。

While meeting in Beijing with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, on April 14, Xi put forward a four-point proposal on promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, calling for remaining committed to the principles of "peaceful coexistence, national sovereignty, international rule of law, and a balanced approach to development and security".

4月14日，习近平在北京会见阿联酋阿布扎比王储哈立德时，就促进中东和平稳定提出四点主张，强调应坚持"和平共处、主权平等、国际法治、统筹发展与安全"的原则。

He reiterated China's willingness to play a constructive role in promoting peace and facilitating talks.

他重申中方愿为推动和平、斡旋对话发挥建设性作用。

Regarding bilateral ties, Xi told the Saudi crown prince that China highly values the development of its relationship with Saudi Arabia, and has consistently adhered to the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.