China and the Sultanate of Oman called on Monday for the United States and Iran to return to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and resume dialogue and negotiations to reach a comprehensive agreement covering Iran's nuclear file. This came in a joint statement published by the two countries' news agencies, Xinhua and Oman News Agency, at the end of a state visit by Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq to China on November 1 and 2, at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Calls for Dialogue and Peace
The statement urged Washington and Tehran to adhere to the peaceful option and work towards a comprehensive ceasefire and halt to hostilities as soon as possible, emphasizing the necessity of resolving regional and international disputes through political and diplomatic means and restoring stability in the Middle East and the Gulf. It also stressed the need to restore normal and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, pointing to an agreement between Beijing and Muscat to continue communication regarding issues related to the strait.
Strengthening Strategic Partnership
Regarding bilateral relations, the two countries affirmed their determination to deepen their strategic partnership, noting that their historical relations span more than 1,200 years. Oman reaffirmed its commitment to the "One China" principle, its support for UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, and Beijing's position that Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory. For its part, China affirmed its support for Oman's sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, and development path, praising Muscat's role in resolving disputes, enhancing trust, and supporting peace in the region.
Economic and Technological Cooperation
In the economic field, the two countries agreed to enhance the alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and "Oman Vision 2040," and to expand cooperation in oil, gas, renewable energy and its storage, artificial intelligence, advanced technology, digital infrastructure, and space. They also affirmed strengthening financial cooperation through an agreement on local currency exchange and the development of payments and digital currencies, alongside cooperation in culture, education, tourism, civil aviation, security, and the judiciary. The visit saw the signing of an agreement and 14 memoranda of understanding and cooperation protocols in areas including currency exchange, artificial intelligence, the Beidou satellite navigation system, the digital economy, space, green development, and supply chains.
At the end of the visit, Sultan Haitham invited the Chinese President to visit Oman, before departing for Brunei Darussalam for a three-day state visit, according to Oman News Agency. Sultan Haitham's visit is the first by an Omani Sultan to China since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries on May 25, 1978, while a strategic partnership was announced in May 2018.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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