Working together to build new security architecture for the Middle East

Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Egypt. During his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President Xi, with a view to promoting peace, stability and lasting security in the Middle East, put forward four proposals for building new security architecture in the region: unleashing the internal momentum of regional common security, advancing the comprehensive governance of regional common security, cementing the development foundation of regional common security, and enhancing international coordination on regional common security. 

This important proposal responds to the shared aspiration of regional countries for peace, stability and development. Following his four-point proposal on promoting peace and stability in the Middle East and his four principles on Palestinian question, President Xi has once again contributed China’s approach to achieving lasting peace and stability across the Middle East. 

To achieve common security, regional countries need to hold their future firmly in their own hands. The Middle East is the home of its people. Regional countries know their own realities best and have every right to choose their own development paths and security arrangements. Interference by external forces cannot solve the problems of the Middle East, and bloc confrontation cannot bring genuine security. China has always supported Middle Eastern countries in upholding strategic autonomy, properly handling differences through dialogue and consultation, strengthening dialogue on peace and security, and discussing the reshaping of the security architecture in the region in a way that reflects regional realities and accommodates the legitimate concerns of all parties. 

To achieve common security, comprehensive governance is essential to address both the symptoms and root causes of problems. The many hotspot issues in the Middle East are highly interrelated and cannot be viewed in isolation, still less resolved through the use of force. The Palestinian question remains at the core of the Middle East issue, and should not be neglected or marginalized at any time. The international community should remain committed to political settlement, work to de-escalate hotspot issues and end hostilities, resolve differences through dialogue, enhance mutual trust through consultation, and eliminate the breeding ground for conflict. 

To achieve common security, development is fundamental. Development provides the foundation for security. Dubai, an important trade and economic hub connecting East and West, is a vivid example of how openness drives development and cooperation promotes prosperity.

China stands ready to work with the UAE and other regional countries to safeguard the security of international shipping lanes, advance development cooperation in such areas as trade and investment, infrastructure, new energy and the digital economy, promote the convergence of interests of regional countries, strengthen the bonds of cooperation, and cement the foundation for lasting peace and stability through sustainable development. 

To achieve common security, concerted efforts by the international community are indispensable. The U.N. Charter and international law serve as the basic guidelines for handling Middle East affairs and must be consistently respected and upheld. There should be no selective application or double standards.

The international community, especially major countries outside the region, should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of regional countries, do more to promote peace and stability, and create favorable conditions for dialogue and consultation. China supports the U.N. in playing a tangible role in regional affairs and supports all efforts conducive to easing tensions, enhancing mutual trust and promoting peace. 

China and the UAE are both important forces for peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region. Both countries advocate resolving differences through dialogue, pursuing win-win cooperation, and supporting regional countries in following development paths suited to their national conditions. 

Against a backdrop of transformation and turbulence in the international and regional landscape, China stands ready to work with the UAE and other regional countries to uphold the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security and jointly advance the building of new security architecture for the Middle East.