China proposes four-point peace plan for Middle East

Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward a four-point proposal aimed at promoting peace and stability in the Middle East during a meeting in Beijing with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

Xi called for adherence to the principle of peaceful coexistence, stressing the need to advance “the building of a common, comprehensive, co-operative and sustainable security architecture for the Middle East and the Gulf region,” Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

طرح شي جينبينغ رؤية ذات أربع نقاط بشأن صون وتعزيز السلام والاستقرار في الشرق الأوسط:

أولا، التمسك بمبدأ التعايش السلمي. إن دول الشرق الأوسط بما فيها دول الخليج جيران يعتمد بعضهم على البعض ولا يمكن نقلهم جغرافيا. من الضروري دعم دول الشرق الأوسط بما فيها دول الخليج لتحسين… pic.twitter.com/6JOcXgCKWL

— Mao Ning 毛宁 (@SpoxCHN_MaoNing) April 14, 2026

He also urged adherence to the principle of national sovereignty, stating that the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of countries in the Middle East and the Gulf region “should be fully respected,” and that the safety of personnel, facilities and institutions of all countries “should be effectively safeguarded.”

On the principle of international rule of law, Xi said its authority must be upheld to prevent the world from reverting to “the law of the jungle.” He added that the rule of law “cannot be ‘used when convenient and discarded when not’,” in remarks directed to the Crown Prince.

Xi further emphasized that development and security must be coordinated, saying all parties should work together to create a favourable environment for development across the Middle East and Gulf region.

He also told Sheikh Khaled, who chairs the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, that China is willing to work with the UAE to build “a more robust, resilient and dynamic strategic partnership.”

The visit by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi—the largest of the UAE’s seven emirates—highlights a long-term effort to expand a growing economic corridor with China, building on momentum from the 2024 visit of his father.

On April 13, the UAE’s national carrier, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, announced plans to significantly expand flights between the UAE capital and Chinese cities over the coming year.

Sheikh Khaled’s delegation included senior officials such as Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and industry minister; investment minister Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi; and trade minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, underscoring the UAE’s drive to deepen economic ties with China.

On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang told the Crown Prince that Beijing was willing to explore cooperation in energy storage, hydrogen, and new energy vehicles. He added that bilateral trade should be “expanded in scale, but also optimised structurally,” noting that China welcomed increased UAE investment in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and life sciences.

Later this year, China is set to host the second China-Arab States Summit, where Beijing hopes to conclude negotiations on a free trade agreement between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

By Vafa Guliyeva