BEIJING, 02 November, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Chinese President Xi Jinping and Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq have called for joint efforts to promote peace and stability in the Middle East, while reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. During talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi stressed that the Middle East and Gulf region should not become an arena for major-power rivalry and geopolitical conflicts, saying regional peace required collective efforts from all parties. He said China was ready to enhance coordination with Arab and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Oman, to restore regional peace and achieve lasting stability. Sultan Haitham’s visit marks the first by an Omani head of state to China since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1978. The two leaders also agreed to elevate their strategic partnership, with Xi describing the longstanding friendship between the countries as strong and promising. Sultan Haitham said China had become Oman’s largest trading partner, while Chinese investments in partnership with the Oman Investment Authority had exceeded 33 billion yuan. He expressed his country’s willingness to conclude a preferential trade and investment agreement with China and called for expanded cooperation in renewable energy, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, space, defence industries and logistics. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached $36.73 billion in 2024. The leaders also witnessed the signing of at least 14 agreements, memoranda of understanding and cooperation protocols covering supply chains, green development, digital finance and other areas.