China's Xi: Rule of law is essential for Middle East Peace
China's president Xi Jinping rebuked the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran on Tuesday by saying that the international rule of law was essential to peace and stability in the Middle East.
Xi, who has been a vocal critic of the U.S./Israeli conflict in the past, has not made many public statements about it. He will meet with Donald Trump, the U.S. president at a meeting expected to take place in Beijing next month.
Xi said to Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan - the crown prince of Abu Dhabi who was visiting - that the rule of law could not be "used whenever convenient and thrown away when not", according to the official Xinhua News Agency.
The visit comes in the midst of increased tensions in the Middle East, after weekend talks between Washington & Tehran failed to achieve a?deal to end the war.
Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels from countries it considers unfriendly since the conflict began in late February. The U.S. military launched a blockade on Iran's ports Monday, accusing Iran "economic terrorism".
Since the start of the war, oil shipments through the Strait from Gulf states like the UAE have dropped. Tehran has also launched drone and missile attacks on energy infrastructure in Gulf neighbouring nations, including the UAE.
The official data released on Tuesday shows that Chinese imports of natural gas for March fell to the lowest level since October 2022. Inbound crude oil shipments also dropped 2.8% as Chinese vessels were stuck in Strait of Hormuz.
"We cannot allow the world's law to revert back to the law the jungle," Xi said to Sheikh Khaled. He was the eldest child of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Strategic Partnership
Xi said to Sheikh Khaled who is also the chair of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council that China would be willing to work with UAE to create a stronger, more resilient, and dynamic partnership.
The visit of the crown prince from the largest of seven UAE emirates, Sheikh Khaled’s father, in 2024 will continue the momentum created by his father's visit.
Etihad Airways of Abu Dhabi, the national airline of the UAE, announced on Monday a plan to?extend its network? between the UAE capital city and Chinese cities by 2026 or 2027.
The delegation of Sheikh Khaled included Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber (CEO of Abu?Dhabi's National Oil Company, and Industry Minister), Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Investment Minister, and Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Trade minister.
Li Qiang told the Crown Prince on Monday that Beijing is willing to explore collaboration in energy storage, new energy vehicles, and hydrogen.
Li said that bilateral trade should be "expanded, but also optimized structurally," adding that China welcomed more UAE investments in sectors like?artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and life sciences.
China will host its second China-Arab States Summit later this year. Beijing hopes to conclude talks on a Free Trade Pact between China, the Gulf Cooperation Council (which includes the UAE and Qatar), Oman, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
(source: Reuters)
