Xi Jinping Calls for Respect of Middle Eastern Countries' Sovereignty

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for the national sovereignty of countries in the Middle East to be respected. Xi stated that Beijing will play a “constructive role” in promoting peace negotiations for the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

This call, as reported by AFP and The Times of India on Tuesday (14/4/2026), was made by Xi following the first round of peace talks between the United States (US) and Iran, held in Pakistan over the weekend, which ended without any agreement.

The failure prompted US President Donald Trump to order a naval blockade of the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping route and Iranian ports. Trump is said to be angry over Tehran’s refusal to abandon its nuclear ambitions in the Pakistan peace talks.

In response to Trump, the Iranian military warned that no ports in the Gulf region would be safe if Iran’s own ports were threatened. Tehran condemned the US naval blockade, which began on Monday (13/4), as illegal and tantamount to piracy.

Amid this new tension, Xi outlined his proposal to maintain peace in the war-torn region.

“The sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of Gulf countries in the Middle East must be sincerely respected,” Xi stated in his latest remarks, as reported by state television CCTV.

In his statement, Xi reaffirmed China’s position in promoting dialogue over conflict. He stated that China will play a “constructive role” in the Middle East region.

According to Xi, Beijing will continue to facilitate negotiations and support diplomatic resolutions.

Previously, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, in a press conference, expressed hope that the US and Iran would not reignite war in the Middle East after the Pakistan talks over the weekend failed to produce an agreement.

“China hopes that the relevant parties will abide by the temporary ceasefire agreement, continue to resolve disputes through political and diplomatic means, avoid the re-ignition of war, and create conditions for the swift return of peace and stability in the Gulf region,” Guo said.

Guo also called for “unimpeded” navigation across the strategic waterway of the Strait of Hormuz, following Trump’s order for a naval blockade.