“This shows that the Ukraine issue is not the only problem the world faces today,” Wang said.
“[We face] many problems related to peace and people’s livelihood that deserve international attention, and timely handling by the relevant stakeholders.
“But regardless of their complexity and difficulties, they can be resolved through dialogue on equal footing and with mutual respect.”
Wang said Chinese President Xi Jinping guided the talks from the beginning, and the agreement between the three parties was testimony to the merits of Beijing’s “recent proposal” on handling international affairs.
03:11
China, Iran pledge to deepen cooperation as both grapple with strained US ties
Saudi Arabia severed ties with Iran in 2016 after the storming of its embassy in Tehran in an escalating row between the two countries over Riyadh’s execution of a Shi’ite Muslim cleric.
Saudi Arabia’s state news agency said the two states agreed that their foreign ministers would meet to implement the agreement, arrange for their ambassadors to take up posts in the respective capitals, and discuss ways to improve relations.
In addition, the statement said the agreement included “their affirmation of the respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in internal affairs”.
“The two sides also expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the leadership and government of the People’s Republic of China for hosting and sponsoring the talks, and the efforts it placed towards its success,” the Saudi Press Agency said in a statement.
Iran was represented at the talks by Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, while Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Saudi Arabia’s national security adviser, led the Saudi delegation.
Reuters quoted a White House national security spokesman as saying the United States was aware of reports of the agreement and welcomed any efforts to help end war in Yemen and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.
02:16
China’s Xi Jinping visits Saudi Arabia in bid to boost ties amid strained US-Saudi relations
A Beijing-based Middle East expert said the agreement underscored Beijing’s growing influence in the region.
Wang Wen, executive dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University, said China had overtaken the United States in terms of positive influence in the Middle East.
“The US has played more of a negative and destructive role for a long time there,” Wang Wen said.
“President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Saudi Arabia last year and the Iranian president visited China recently. This series of mediation efforts has achieved very good results.
“China has always been a force for peace in the region.”
Additional reporting by Liu Zhen
