An agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran intermediated by China to renew politic ties and renew delegacies and charge within two months after seven times of no political ties between the two, was reached in Beijing on Friday, which experts hailed as a corner in helping lessen pressures and restore peace in the Middle East as well as fit stability into a unpredictable geopolitical geography. The part that China plays in helping the two countries, which are long-term rivals, reach the agreement won wide praise around the world after its advertisement.
This also showed that China’s political gospel that aims to promote peace and development is much more charming than some countries’ tactics of fueling battle to expand their own political sphere in the Gulf region, experts told the Global Times on Saturday. The contest between Saudi Arabia and Iran is embedded in Islamic illiberalism. While Iran is the foremost Shia state in the world, Saudi Arabia is considered to be the religious home of Sunni Islam. In ultramodern times, this insular contest has restated into a hassle for indigenous ascendance. This has played a part in both sides being involved in multiple deputy conflicts against each other in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and utmost devastatingly, Yemen.
Also, Iran is largely critical of Saudi Arabia’s closeness with the United States. The US has crippled Iranian frugality with its warrants governance for decades. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia is very aware of the large network of fortified regulars across West Asia that Iran finances and tails, seeing them as a trouble to its own sovereignty as well as the indigenous balance of power. These palpable issues will continue to be roadblocks in erecting any kind of close ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Still, the recently struck political deal can be a good starting point for further accommodations and agreements. In December last time, the China-Arab States Summit and the China- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit were held during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Saudi Arabia.
Zhu noted that an important reason for Saudi Arabia and Iran to agree to renew ties is that both sides trust China. “They believe that what China does isn’t for selfish interests or ascendance, but for the good of indigenous stability.” Experts refocused that the way China handled this issue is different from the US which tends to fuel dears and sow disharmony for selfish earnings.
