China aims for balance in Xi's trip to Middle East

Beijing

CHINA intends to retain a balanced stance in the Middle East, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Monday, as President Xi Jinping prepared to leave on an unusual visit this week to Saudi Arabia and Iran, regional powers currently locked in a bitter dispute.

Tensions between the Sunni Muslim kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite Muslim Iran have escalated since Saudi authorities executed Shi'ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr on Jan 2, triggering outrage among Shi'ites.

In response, Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Teheran and its consulate in Mashhad, prompting Riyadh to sever relations. Teheran then cut all commercial ties with Riyadh, and banne…