Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for the international rule of law to be upheld in the Middle East, delivering a pointed rebuke of the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for respect for the “sovereignty, security and territorial integrity” of Gulf countries as part of a four-point proposal aimed at promoting stability in the Middle East pic.twitter.com/gtY7jccZeL
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Speaking on Tuesday during a meeting with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Xi said the rule of law “cannot be used when convenient and discarded when not.” He warned against allowing the world to “revert to the law of the jungle.”
Xi’s comments mark one of his strongest public statements on the conflict so far. Beijing has repeatedly criticised the US-Israeli military campaign as illegal, while maintaining a largely cautious public posture. The remarks come ahead of Xi’s expected meeting with US President Donald Trump in Beijing next month.
The Chinese leader was speaking as tensions remain high following the collapse of weekend talks in Islamabad and the start of a US naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Sheikh Khaled, who chairs the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, is on a visit aimed at strengthening the UAE-China strategic partnership. His delegation included senior officials such as Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber (CEO of ADNOC and Industry Minister), Investment Minister Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, and Trade Minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.
During the meeting, Xi expressed China’s willingness to build a more robust and dynamic partnership with the UAE, particularly in energy storage, hydrogen, new energy vehicles, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and life sciences. Both sides also discussed expanding and upgrading bilateral trade.
The visit underscores the UAE’s push to deepen economic ties with China, building on momentum from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s 2024 trip to Beijing. On Monday, Etihad Airways announced plans to significantly expand its flights to Chinese cities in 2026 and 2027.
China is also preparing to host the second China-Arab States Summit later this year, where it hopes to finalise a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council.
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