Chinese president calls for respect to sovereignty, territorial integrity in Mideast amid US-Iran tensions

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called for respect for the sovereignty, security, and safety of people and institutions in the Middle East amid ongoing US-Iran tensions.

"The sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of countries in the Middle East and Gulf region should be fully respected, and the safety of personnel, facilities, and institutions of all countries should be effectively safeguarded," Xi said in his first public comments on the region since the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on Feb. 28.

The remarks came as Xi met with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Beijing, according to the state-run news agency Xinhua.

Xi's comments, released by state media, did not directly mention the US-Israeli war with Iran.

He advocated building a "common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable" regional security framework, and proposed a four-point plan to promote peace and stability in the Middle East.

The proposal emphasizes respecting peaceful coexistence, national sovereignty, international law, as well as coordination of development and security.

Sheikh Khaled arrived in China on Sunday for a three-day visit.

The visit comes amid a regional escalation since the US and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, however, the two sides are currently observing a two-week ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan and supported by China, since April 8.

The bilateral trade volume between China and the UAE reached $76.93 billion from January to September 2025, according to data from the Chinese Foreign Ministry website.