China has consistently urged countries to uphold and promote global development and security and to resolve differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation, which it asserts are the keys to unlock the solutions to even the most difficult problems.

▲ Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, presides over the closing meeting of the talks between a Saudi delegation and an Iranian delegation in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

This was shown to good effect, when, following talks in Beijing from Monday to Friday, Saudi Arabia and Iran announced they had agreed to resume diplomatic relations and carry out cooperation in various fields.

Having identified the road map and timeline for improving their relations, the two Middle Eastern countries now have a solid foundation on which to improve their relations.

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, who held talks with the two delegations respectively and chaired the opening and closing ceremonies of the talk, said the agreement showed China was a "reliable mediator" that had "faithfully fulfilled its duties as the host".

The United Nations and a growing list of countries, including Oman, Turkey, Syria and Iraq, have welcomed the China-brokered breakthrough.

Yet despite the positive outcome of the talks, there are some trying to pour cold water on what should be cause for celebration, alleging that China's motive for brokering the deal was to fill the vacuum left by the United States' withdrawal from the Middle East.

In response to this, a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry on Saturday states that China "pursues no selfish interest whatsoever in the Middle East" and it has no intention to and does not seek to fill a so-called vacuum or to create exclusive blocs.

The statement makes no bones about China's position declaring that it believes that the future of the Middle East should "always be in the hands of the countries in the region", and it supports Middle East countries resolving their differences through dialogue and consultation to jointly promote lasting peace and stability in the region.

What the nascent rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia sponsored by China shows is that while the US instigates and fuels conflicts, wages wars, and plays nations against each other in the Middle East — and elsewhere — China is making practical efforts to promote security and development, peace and prosperity.

While the US pursues its own hegemonic interests, China pursues peace and security for all.

It is the ends that decide the means.