By Wu Xiaodan
The foreign ministers of China and Iran held talks in Beijing on May 6, during which both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the four-point proposal put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping on promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, and to seeking a comprehensive and lasting peaceful solution to regional issues. The four-point proposal fully reflects China's consistent position and active efforts in promoting peace, ending conflict, and resolving differences through dialogue. It provides a Chinese approach for helping the region emerge from the shadow of conflict and achieve lasting stability, while also injecting much-needed certainty into a turbulent Middle East and an increasingly uncertain world.
Upholding the principle of peaceful coexistence is essential to resolving the Middle East's security dilemma. The Middle East is a confluence of human civilization and a region of critical strategic importance. The security and stability of countries in the region are closely interconnected. Only through mutual respect and equal treatment can lasting peace be maintained. History has repeatedly shown that in times of crisis, no country can remain unaffected or insulated from regional turmoil. Peaceful coexistence serves the shared interests of all parties involved.
Upholding the principle of national sovereignty is essential to maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East. The principle of sovereign equality is a core tenet of the Charter of the United Nations and an important norm governing relations between states. The peoples of the Middle East are the true masters of this region, and Middle Eastern affairs should be decided independently by regional countries themselves. Only by upholding the principle of sovereignty and respecting one another can the most fundamental conditions for dialogue and negotiation be created, and a solid foundation for lasting peace be laid.
Upholding the principle of international rule of law is essential to strengthening the regional shield for peace. How a country treats international law and the international order reflects its worldview, its understanding of order, its values, and its sense of responsibility. One important reason for the continued escalation and prolongation of conflicts in the Middle East is that certain countries disregard international rules, frequently resort to maximum pressure and unilateral sanctions, place their own interests above the common interests of the international community, and undermine the foundations of multilateralism and the international rule of law.
Achieving long-term peace and stability in the Middle East requires a balanced approach to development and security. Security is the precondition for development, and development is the guarantee of security. The recent conflicts have caused significant casualties and losses in Middle Eastern countries, undermined regional security and stability, and weighed on global economic growth and improvements in people's well-being. The turmoil in the Middle East is not what any country that aspires to peace, pursues development, and upholds justice wishes to see. All parties should work to create a favorable environment for the development of countries in the Middle East and the Gulf region.
The four-point proposal is a systematic and comprehensive approach that addresses both symptoms and root causes. It represents a vivid practice of China's implementation of the Global Security Initiative, and, under the current complex situation, helps illuminate the path toward peace in the Middle East. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a responsible major country, China has been a builder of peace and a promoter of stability in the Middle East. Since the outbreak of the conflict involving Iran, China has maintained an objective and impartial stance, firmly promoting dialogue, reconciliation, and de-escalation, and has played a constructive role in helping Middle Eastern and Gulf countries bridge differences, build consensus, and enhance mutual trust. China, together with Pakistan, issued a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region. It has also dispatched special envoys to conduct shuttle diplomacy across multiple Middle Eastern countries, while maintaining coordination with relevant parties in platforms such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. China's efforts in promoting dialogue, reconciliation, and de-escalation have been widely recognized and appreciated by regional countries and the international community.
At present, the situation in the Middle East is at a critical stage of transition between war and peace. At such a moment, all parties need to demonstrate the utmost sincerity to steadily advance the political settlement of regional issues. China will continue to work with the international community to fully and earnestly implement the Global Security Initiative, and to make sustained constructive contributions to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East.
(The author is from the Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Studies Centre)