China's Xi speaks to Saudi king amid Iran tensions

[BEIJING] Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by telephone with Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Wednesday amid tensions with Riyadh's regional rival Iran after Tehran announced it was scaling back some commitments under its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

China has had to tread a fine line as it has close energy and business relations with both countries, in a part of the world where Beijing has traditionally exerted far less sway than the United States, Russia, France or Britain.

China's Foreign Ministry did not directly mention Iran in its statement on the call between Mr Xi and King Salman, instead concentrating on Mr Xi's comments on cementing bilateral ties.

Mr Xi visited Saudi Arabia and Iran on the same trip in 2016, and King Salman paid a return visit to China in 2017. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Mr Xi in Beijing in February of this year.

Mr Xi told Salman that China set great store on developing its all-round strategic partnership with the Saudis, especially in energy cooperation, the Foreign Ministry said.

"China appreciates Saudi Arabia's active efforts to promote China-Arab relations and the development of relations between China and Islamic countries," a short statement paraphrased Mr Xi as saying.

"China appreciates Saudi Arabia's objective and fair stance on China's core interests and major concerns, and firmly supports Saudi Arabia's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, security and stability, and supports Saudi Arabia to promote economic transformation and achieve greater development."

The call was made on the same day Iran announced steps that stop short of violating its nuclear deal with world powers for now, but threatening more action if countries did not shield it from US sanctions.

The 2015 accord was signed between Iran, Russia, China, Britain, France, Germany and the United States, before President Donald Trump took office. Iran agreed to limits on its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of sanctions.

Washington's European allies opposed Mr Trump's decision to pull out of the agreement last year and have tried, so far in vain, to find ways to blunt the economic impact of new US sanctions.

Speaking earlier on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said that the deal should be fully and effectively implemented.

China approves of Iran's implementation of the deal and opposes the United States enacting unilateral sanctions against the Islamic Republic, and expresses regret at the worsening of tensions following steps by the United States, he added.

"Protecting and implementing the comprehensive agreement is the joint responsibility of all sides. We call on all sides to exercise restraint and step up dialogue, and avoid a further escalation in tensions."

REUTERS