China announced on November 2 that it would dispatch three special representatives to the Middle East and Africa during the first half of the month, in an effort to support regional peace and stability. The plan includes visits to Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Egypt, and Eritrea, with the envoys tasked with advancing President Xi Jinping’s initiatives and a set of "four principles" for African peace.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Chinese government’s special envoy on Middle East issues, Zhai Jun, will travel to Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia during the first half of this month.
"Zhai Jun will visit Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia during the first half of this month,"
Mao noted that Zhai will implement the Chinese President’s proposals on boosting security in the Middle East, and will work to encourage reconciliation and dialogue among the region’s parties.
In the same announcement, the ministry said that the Chinese government’s special representative on African affairs, Liu Xianfa, would travel to Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Egypt during the same period. Liu is expected to work with African governments to promote stability and address pressing security issues.
"Liu Xianfa will travel to Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Egypt during the same period,"
The envoy is also tasked with advancing the "four principles" Beijing has promoted as a framework for resolving African conflicts.
Meanwhile, the ministry announced that the special envoy for Horn of Africa affairs, Hu Changchun, would visit Eritrea in early November. Hu’s trip is part of China’s stated goal of fostering Eastern African peace, and he is expected to meet local officials and discuss collaboration opportunities.
According to Mao, the envoys will conduct “concurrent visits to several countries in the region to foster reconciliation and dialogue, ease tensions, and preserve regional peace and stability.” China’s move follows a broader pattern of diplomatic outreach in the region by Beijing, charging that its presence can help counterbalance regional power dynamics.
In its official statement, the ministry tried to frame the initiative as a sign of cooperation rather than influence. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the envoys would implement President Xi’s initiatives and proposals for peace and would work with local leadership to advance stability in the Middle East and Africa. Liu’s visits, for example, were described in the announcement as part of a broader strategy to promote constructive engagement with African leaders.
Observers note that the timing of the visits aligns with escalating tensions in Saudi Arabia and ongoing conflicts in parts of the Horn of Africa. By sending envoys to the region, China signals a willingness to participate in mediation efforts, while also seeking to secure new trade and investment links in the long term.
In summary, China’s announcement outlines a coordinated effort by three special envoys to engage key nations in the Middle East and Africa, focusing on peace, stability and the promotion of Xi Jinping’s policy framework. The ministry’s announcement emphasizes that these missions will work to advance the "four principles" on African peace, aiming to encourage reconciliation and calm in a region that has been marked by volatility for years.
