China’s Xi urges ‘diplomatic’ Middle East solution in talks with Jordan’s king

King Abdullah of Jordan met with President Xi Jinping of China in Beijing on Monday to discuss the US-Iran war and its underlying causes. The two leaders agreed that a negotiated resolution to the conflict was necessary to address the root reasons for the tension.

During their meeting, the heads of state emphasized the importance of restoring "normal navigation" through the Strait of Hormuz and called for a comprehensive solution to replace the fragile US-Iran ceasefire. They also accused Israel of instigating a "dangerous escalation" in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, where incidents of settler violence are on the rise.

Xi Jinping stated that the Palestinian issue is the core concern of the Middle East. After discussing the situation in Gaza, the West Bank, and Iran, the joint statement from King Abdullah and President Xi highlighted their deep concern over Israel's escalating actions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. These actions include increased settler violence, land confiscation, and the construction of settlements.

China, along with other countries, has taken on a role as a potential peacemaker in the Iran conflict. In March, China and Pakistan proposed a five-point plan that called for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and an end to attacks on power plants. Recently, new US sanctions against Iran may further pressure China, which had $9.96 billion in trade with Iran last year.

This figure could be higher due to unreported Iranian crude oil exports. China also represents the largest single buyer of Jordan's imports, accounting for the bulk of the country's foreign trade.

The visit to China was King Abdullah's final leg of a week-long tour aimed at exploring economic opportunities in various sectors such as farming, medicine, and engineering. Several agreements were signed during the visit, signaling shared commitment to strengthening the strong ties between Jordan and China.