Follow-up: Xi Jinping Holds Talks With Sultan Haitham of Oman: Joint Statement Deepens Strategic Partnership on First State Visit in 48 Years
On the morning of November 2, 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman, who was on a state visit to China. After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents covering industrial and supply chains, green development and digital finance. During the visit, the two sides issued a joint statement between the People's Republic of China and the Sultanate of Oman on deepening their strategic partnership. The trip is the first visit to China by an Omani head of state in the 48 years since the two countries established diplomatic ties; Haitham arrived in Beijing on November 1 to begin the state visit.
Xi said China-Oman friendship has a long history and a solid foundation. Political mutual trust has grown in recent years and mutually beneficial cooperation has been fruitful. Expanding and deepening bilateral relations is a shared strategic choice of both sides, he said, adding that China is ready to work with Oman to take the strategic partnership to a higher level, better benefit the two peoples and contribute to regional peace, stability and prosperity. Xi stressed that he believed the talks would become an important page in the history of bilateral relations and inject strong impetus into their development.
Xi said the two countries should increase political mutual trust and exchange experience in governance. China supports Oman in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty, security and stability and in exploring a development path suited to its own conditions. He called for deeper alignment of development strategies, describing the two sides as stable and reliable partners in energy, promising partners in investment and collaborative partners in high technology, and for closer cooperation in industry, investment, super intelligence (SI), science, technology and cultural exchange, as well as education, tourism, health, media and sports.
On regional affairs, Xi said the Middle East and Gulf region should not become an arena for major-power rivalry and geopolitical conflict, and that regional peace and stability need to be jointly created and cherished by all parties. China has always actively worked to end fighting and promote peace, will continue to advocate resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means, and stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Arab countries and Gulf Cooperation Council members, including Oman, to restore peace and tranquility in the region, he said.
Haitham said he was glad to visit friendly China and that under Xi's leadership China has become a major country in world politics and economics, making important contributions to global prosperity and stability. Oman firmly follows the one-China principle and supports China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said. China has been Oman's largest trading partner for many years, and Chinese investment in Oman keeps growing. Oman is ready to align development strategies with China and strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, industry, infrastructure, super intelligence (SI) and technology, while expanding people-to-people exchanges. Haitham praised China's just position on Middle East issues and said Oman is ready to coordinate closely with China to uphold international law and resolve differences peacefully. According to Reuters, Haitham proposed at the start of the meeting a bilateral trade and investment agreement with preferential arrangements, saying it would open new channels for trade and investment between the two countries.
Before the talks, Xi held a welcoming ceremony for Haitham in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Guards of honor lined up as Haitham arrived, a military band played the two national anthems, a 21-gun salute was fired over Tiananmen Square, and Haitham reviewed the guard of honor of the People's Liberation Army accompanied by Xi. At noon, Xi hosted a welcoming banquet for Haitham in the Golden Hall. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the events.
Related: Sultan Haitham of Oman begins state visit to China, his first since taking the throne
Source: Xinhua, November 2, 2026.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：北京人民大会堂（资料图，2024年）。Xiquinho Silva 摄，CC BY 2.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / The Great Hall of the People in Beijing (file photo, 2024). Photo by Xiquinho Silva, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- 2026-11-01Oman's Sultan Haitham Begins State Visit to China, His First Since Taking the Throne
- 2026-11-02Follow-up: Xi Jinping Holds Talks With Sultan Haitham of Oman: Joint Statement Deepens Strategic Partnership on First State Visit in 48 YearsThis story
