Though no official statements or commitments were made concerning the relations between the three countries, there were expectations that China could be attempting to be a bridge for the rival states to sit at the negotiating table to avoid an outbreak of hostilities.
China’s policies of non interference and of encouraging peaceful settlement of interstate problems are starting to be welcomed by the Middle Eastern states.
Iran would stand to benefit from the Chinese initiatives in infrastructure development that it urgently needs coming out of sanctions by the western powers. The One Belt One Road project would suit Iran and other land locked countries very well with its greater reliance on land transport than the sea.
Both Iran and Saudi Arabia would be less suspicious of China' s economic initiatives in both countries when political meddling is not on the cards.
China’s approach in diplomacy by emphasizing trade and economic development instead of military intervention, military alliances, selling of weapons of war, would be a new feature in the New World Order.
The western policies of military intervention and regime change as the only way to resolve inter state relations are passé. The world needs a New World Order of stability and peaceful economic developments, not more wars and destruction.
China' s diplomacy will gain more ground and acceptance by the international communities and nation states that want peace and not war.
The author is a political observer from Singapore.
The opinions expressed here are those of the writer and don't represent views of China Daily website.