Peace, stability in Mideast require joint efforts, Chinese president tells Omani sultan

Xi hosts Haitham, who is on historic trip to China, 1st by any Omani sultan in 48 years

China's President Xi Jinping on Monday called for joint efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East, warning against turning the Gulf region into an arena for major-power rivalry and geopolitical conflicts, according to state media.

Xi made the remarks during talks with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq at Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Xinhua News reported.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday that China stands ready to deepen the alignment of development strategies with Oman, turning the two countries into stable and reliable partners in energy, partners with great potential in investment, and partners in high-tech… pic.twitter.com/wt8gCflZw4

— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) November 2, 2026

Xi said the Middle East and the Gulf regions should "not become a wrestling ground for major-country rivalry and geopolitical conflicts, and that regional peace and stability require the joint efforts and care of all parties."

He added that China "is willing to enhance communication and coordination with Arab countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Oman, for the early restoration of regional peace and tranquillity and the realisation of lasting stability."

Haitham's visit marks the first by an Omani head of state since diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1978.

It comes amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict that began in February following US-Israeli military strikes against Tehran.

Read: Explainer: After nine straight nights of strikes, where is the US-Iran conflict headed?

'Higher level' in bilateral ties

On the bilateral front, Xi called for further strengthening the strategic partnership with Oman to a "higher level."

"China and Oman share a longstanding friendship, which has a deep root, solid foundation, and bright prospect," Xi told Haitham.

"In recent years, the two countries enjoy ever stronger political mutual trust. Mutually beneficial cooperation has produced fruitful results, and the traditional friendship has taken root in the hearts of the people. China stands ready to work with Oman to steer the strategic partnership to a higher level," Xi said, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.

President Xi Jinping held talks with Sultan Haitham of Oman.

President Xi noted that China and Oman share a longstanding friendship, which has a deep root, solid foundation, and bright prospect. In recent years, the two countries enjoy ever stronger political mutual trust.… pic.twitter.com/kZfIdDQUD2

— Mao Ning 毛宁 (@SpoxCHN_MaoNing) November 2, 2026

Haitham said China had become Oman’s largest trading partner, with direct investments by Chinese companies in partnership with the Oman Investment Authority exceeding 33 billion yuan ($4.6 billion) in recent years.

He expressed Oman’s willingness to conclude a preferential bilateral trade and investment agreement with China to further strengthen economic cooperation.

The sultan also called for expanded cooperation in renewable energy, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, space, defence industries, and logistics.

Oman is China's fifth-largest crude oil supplier and fourth-largest Arab trading partner, with bilateral trade volume reaching $36.73 billion in 2024.

The leaders agreed to expand cooperation in energy, investment, artificial intelligence, and technology, witnessing the signing of several agreements covering supply chains, green development, and digital finance.

The two sides signed at least 14 agreements, memoranda of understanding, and cooperation protocols, Oman News Agency reported.

The economic, trade and investment relations between the Sultanate of #Oman and the People's Republic of #China are underpinned by a framework of agreements and memoranda of understanding that has established a basis for joint cooperation and expanded partnership opportunities… pic.twitter.com/hs9lZ646i3

— Oman News Agency (@ONA_eng) October 31, 2026

Haitham highlighted the potential for cooperation between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Oman Vision 2040, particularly in green hydrogen, advanced manufacturing, and digital infrastructure.

He reaffirmed Oman’s commitment to the one-China principle and expressed support for China’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.