Beijing, Mar 28 (EFE).- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, that the “successful dialog” between Saudi Arabia and Iran “will ease tensions in the region.”

Xi and Bin Salman held a telephone conversation in which the Chinese president said the recent normalization of relations between Tehran and Riyadh, sponsored by China, “helped improve bilateral relations between the two countries” and “reinforced regional solidarity” according to the state channel CCTV.

“China will continue to support this process,” Xi said, adding that the normalization of ties between the two countries, traditionally rivals in the region, was “praised by the international community.”

According to the Chinese leader, “the solution of conflicts and differences through dialog and consultation is in accordance with the will of the peoples and the interests of all countries.”

The Saudi crown prince said his country “sincerely appreciates China’s support in improving relations with Iran”, which, in his opinion, “demonstrates China’s role as a responsible power.”

Riyadh welcomes the fact that Beijing “plays an increasingly fundamental and constructive role in regional and international affairs,” Bin Salman said.

The agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the two Shiite and Sunni powers in the Middle East, includes the reopening of their embassies and was signed in China, which mediated between the two, who for years have fought for hegemony, supporting rival sides in conflicts in the area.

As part of the pact, Iran and Saudi Arabia said they pledge to “respect the sovereignty of the countries and not interfere in their internal affairs.” A 2001 security agreement and 1998 cooperation memorandums on economy, trade, investment, technology, science, culture, sports and youth were also reactivated. EFE

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