Beijing's peace efforts draw praise

China has emerged as one of the leading international actors advocating political solutions, fostering mutual understanding, and promoting dialogue in the Middle East amid escalating crises and the rapid transformations reshaping the international order, former Egyptian foreign minister Mohammed al-Orabi said.

"China's commitment to political dialogue has made it an increasingly influential force for regional stability," al-Orabi said. He noted that this approach contributes to containing crises, preventing the expansion of conflicts, and creating a more stable environment for regional cooperation.

He said Beijing is playing an increasingly important role in strengthening regional security and promoting international peace by building confidence among different parties, opening new avenues for cooperation, and contributing to the development of the global governance system in a manner that provides countries of the Global South with a more influential role in shaping international decision-making.

"China's diplomatic engagement has helped create space for dialogue even in the most difficult regional crises," he said.

Al-Orabi, who is now chairman of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, said that Chinese diplomacy has become an important pillar in conflict containment and the alleviation of humanitarian suffering by promoting dialogue, supporting mediation efforts, and encouraging political settlements rather than policies of escalation and confrontation. He said this approach helps create favorable conditions for ending conflicts, ensuring the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and addressing the root causes of crises, thereby enhancing prospects for sustainable peace while reinforcing security, stability, and development across the Middle East.

He further noted that many of the principles underpinning China's approach to crisis management closely align with the fundamental pillars of Egypt's foreign policy, particularly the prioritization of political solutions, respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity, rejection of conflict escalation, and the promotion of dialogue and diplomacy as the most sustainable means of resolving disputes.

"This convergence creates broader opportunities for Egypt-China cooperation in promoting regional stability, and strengthening mediation efforts while contributing to addressing the challenges facing the Middle East," al-Orabi said.

He stressed that China's effectiveness on the international stage lies in its ability to build bridges when dialogue becomes difficult and to create opportunities for mutual understanding when communication channels falter. This, he said, reflects a diplomatic approach centered on mediation, confidence-building, and the promotion of political solutions. He said that such an approach has strengthened China's contribution to regional peace and security while creating greater opportunities for peaceful conflict resolution, thereby supporting stability and shared development.

Shared development

Al-Orabi explained that China's vision is rooted in the belief that sustainable security cannot be achieved through military power alone, but rather through preventive diplomacy, shared development, and addressing the underlying causes of conflicts. He said this approach has become increasingly relevant in the Middle East, particularly in light of the ongoing developments in the Gaza Strip and other regional crises, where prolonged conflicts require intensified dialogue, the protection of civilians, the preservation of state unity, and support for political settlements that prevent disputes from evolving into protracted crises threatening regional and international peace and security.

Regarding the crises in the Middle East, he said they are no longer measured solely by their political or security implications, but have become closely linked to global energy security and international economic stability.

"Stability in the Middle East is no longer merely a regional concern. It has become a shared international interest because of its direct impact on global energy security and the world economy," he said.

"China has the political vision and diplomatic capacity to play a constructive role in promoting peace, expanding dialogue and supporting political solutions across the Middle East," al-Orabi said.

"Such efforts contribute to consolidating regional stability, creating a favorable environment for shared development, and advancing a more balanced and equitable international order in which diplomacy serves as an effective instrument for peace-building, crisis prevention, and stronger cooperation among nations."

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.