On March 11, 2023, Professor Ding Long of the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University published an opinion piece in the Global Times, ‘The Saudi-Iranian Beijing Dialogue, a Successful Practice of the Global Security Initiative,’ which was compiled by People’s Daily Online in Arabic on the same day, (see Global Times, March 11, 2023, page 7) and reads as follows.
Saudi-Iranian Dialogue in Beijing, a Successful Practice of Global Security Initiative
The five-day intensive dialogue in Beijing between Saudi Arabia and Iran, the ‘archrivals of the Middle East,’ brokered and hosted by China, resulted in an agreement that included an agreement to restore diplomatic relations between the two sides, reopen their embassies and representative offices, exchange ambassadors and explore strengthening bilateral ties within a maximum of two months. In addition, the two sides will revive the security agreement signed in 2001. This demonstrates the determination of both sides to fully restore diplomatic and security relations, and shows that what China’s good offices have pushed for is a real and complete reconciliation agreement, rather than a partial and temporary one. It both puts a halt to the confrontation between the two countries that has lasted for years and presses the start button for cooperation between them.
The outcome of the Saudi-Iranian dialogue in Beijing is a great joy not only for the two countries, but also for the peace of the Middle East and the world. Both countries expressed their gratitude to Beijing for its diplomatic efforts, and international public opinion has been highly positive about the outcome, which also highlights that China's peace diplomacy of upholding justice, persuading peace and promoting talks has been generally recognized by the Middle East and the international community. The Middle East is the most complex security situation in the world, yet the Saudi-Iranian handshake shows that no matter how complex the problems or how acute the challenges are, as long as there is equal dialogue in a spirit of mutual respect, a mutually acceptable solution can surely be found.
Seven years have passed since Saudi-Iranian diplomatic relations were severed in early 2016 over the incident of the Saudi Shiite cleric. During this period, the conflict between the two countries has intensified several times, with saber rattling and even once slipping to the brink of war. The break in diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran is not a coincidence, as tensions between the two countries have lasted for decades. Under the influence of sectarian, ethnic, geopolitical and major power interference factors, the Saudi-Iranian conflict has become one of the root factors affecting peace and security in the Middle East, with the two countries competing fiercely over the situation in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and other countries, leading to the sectarianization and campization of Middle East politics and a series of geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East that have dragged on for a long time, with Saudi Arabia and Iran and other related countries in the Middle East have paid a high cost and heavy price for this. It can be said that, without reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, there will be no peace in the Middle East.
The major breakthrough in the Saudi-Iranian dialogue in Beijing can be seen in the following points.
First, head of state diplomacy leads the way. in December 2022, President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Saudi Arabia and attended the ‘Three Rings Summit’ of China-Saudi Arabia, China Shipping and China-Arabia. Last month, Iranian President Leahy paid a state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. In fact, China has been providing Chinese wisdom and solutions for Middle East security with concrete actions. Since 2014, when President Xi Jinping first proposed a new concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, China has continued to work hard to promote security in the Middle East. The fact that the Saudi and Iranian missions came to Beijing for dialogue is a recognition of China's sincere attitude and trust.
Second, it is a successful practice of global security initiatives. The fact that the Saudi-Iranian rivals were able to turn their swords into plowshares under China’s good offices fully demonstrates that the Global Security Initiative is well-intentioned and can become a compass and roadmap for calming conflicts and resolving contradictions. In the past few years, China has been working for peace in the Middle East between Saudi Arabia and Iran and many other parties in the Middle East, without seeking personal gains, and has proposed several times a Gulf security framework and an initiative to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The fact that the two countries have finally ‘come to fruition’ shows that the peace and security concepts put forward by the Chinese side have strong practical applicability.
Again, the Saudi-Iranian reconciliation is in line with the trend of the times. In the past few years, the two countries have been deeply involved in the conflict and paid a huge price. Under internal and external pressure, both countries have realized that development is the first priority and only development can promote peace. In recent years, there has been a wave of détente among Middle East countries, and relations between regional countries have been significantly eased. The success of the Saudi-Iranian Beijing Dialogue is in line with the trend of reconciliation and détente in the Middle East, and as Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Central Foreign Affairs Office, said, the Saudi-Iranian Beijing Dialogue is a victory for peace.
Of course, the Saudi-Iranian conflict is long-standing and deep-rooted, and there are still many specific differences between the two sides, not all of which can be resolved by a paper agreement. However, the Saudi-Iranian Beijing Dialogue is a good start for the two sides to continue to improve relations and resolve their conflicts. It is believed that the Middle East countries will also further promote the spirit of independence, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and work together to build a more peaceful, stable and prosperous Middle East. China will also continue to play a constructive role and show its role as a great power in accordance with the wishes of various countries to properly deal with hotspot issues in the world today.
Source: Global Times
(The views expressed in this article are the personal views of the author or the interviewee, and do not represent the position of this research institution)
