Xi Jinping and Saudi Crown Prince Call for De-Escalation and Open Strait of Hormuz
- Apr 20
- 1 min read
RIYADH/BEIJING, April 20, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed the urgent need for regional de-escalation and the protection of global energy supplies in a high-level phone call on Monday, state media reported.
The conversation between the leaders of the world’s top oil exporter and the second-largest economy focused heavily on maritime security, specifically the stability of the Strait of Hormuz.
President Xi emphasized that keeping the strategic waterway open to navigation is a priority that "serves the interests of regional countries and the international community," according to a statement from the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The leaders addressed the "security and economic repercussions" of recent regional developments, noting the direct impact of instability on global vital supplies. Both Riyadh and Beijing have expressed growing concern over how maritime disruptions could rattle global markets and economic recovery.
The call also served to review the "strategic relations" between the two nations. The leaders explored ways to expand cooperation across several sectors, reinforcing a partnership that has deepened significantly in recent years as Riyadh diversifies its global alliances.
Saudi Arabia and China have increasingly aligned on regional stability efforts, with Beijing positioning itself as a key mediator in Middle Eastern diplomacy following its successful brokering of a detente between Saudi Arabia and Iran last year.
