China reiterated its support for the UAE yesterday regarding its dispute with Iran over several islands in the Persian Gulf, marking a rare public disagreement between Beijing and Tehran. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, defended Beijing’s recent statement backing the UAE’s sovereignty over the Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs islands, emphasising the need for a “peaceful resolution” through dialogue and consultation.
This stance followed the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in Beijing, attended by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. A joint statement from China and the UAE declared support for the UAE’s claim over the disputed islands. “The People’s Republic of China also expressed its support for the efforts of the United Arab Emirates to reach a peaceful solution to the issue of the three islands… through bilateral negotiations in accordance with the rules of international law,” read the statement.
Iran, which has controlled the islands since 1971, responded by summoning China’s ambassador to Tehran, Cong Peiwu, to protest the declaration. Mohammad AliBek of Iran’s Foreign Ministry stressed that the islands belong to Iran and urged China to revise its stance. Despite this, Mao Ning reiterated China’s consistent position and highlighted the solid relationship between China and Iran.
The islands, seized by Iran just before the UAE became a country, have long been a point of contention. While tensions between Iran and the UAE over the islands are not new, China’s involvement and support for the UAE reflect its broader strategy of maintaining strong ties with Arab states amidst complex regional dynamics.
