Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a four-point framework for Middle East peace on Tuesday, centred on upholding international law, respecting Gulf states' sovereignty, and strengthening the UN-based world order, during a state visit by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi (the capital emirate and political hub of the United Arab Emirates). Speaking through state media, Xi warned that international law cannot be "used when convenient and discarded when not" — a pointed rebuke of the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, which has disrupted Gulf energy exports and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to vessels from nations Tehran considers unfriendly. The visit also advanced broader economic ties, with both sides signalling intent to deepen cooperation in energy, AI, and manufacturing, ahead of a planned China-Arab States Summit later this year where Beijing hopes to finalise a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council.