[Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Currently, tensions in the Middle East are escalating, and China is willing to strengthen communication and dialogue with Saudi Arabia, Iran and other regional countries] On November 4, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning hosted a regular press conference. A reporter asked: Recently, Saudi Arabia’s National Security Advisor Aiban and Iran’s Deputy Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Bagheri visited China at the same time. What is China’s view on Saudi-Iran relations and the situation in the Middle East and Gulf region? Mao Ning said that in the face of the current escalation of tensions in the Middle East, China is willing to strengthen communication and dialogue with Saudi Arabia, Iran and other regional countries. The top priority is to avoid the restart of war in the Middle East and affect the people of the region. China will continue to be guided by the series of initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping on promoting peace and security in the Middle East, uphold an objective and fair stance, support Iran and the United States in resolving disputes through negotiations, promote the political settlement of the Yemen issue, and help form a stable and comprehensive solution to the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. It is expected that countries in the region will uphold the principles of mutual respect, good-neighborliness and friendship, jointly build a new regional security architecture that is common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable, and achieve long-term peace and stability in the region.