The Chinese initiative in Middle East

Two initiatives send the clearest signal, yet, that China may be gearing up to play a greater political role in the Middle East. Touring the region this week, Foreign Minister Wang Yi laid out five principles Middle Eastern nations would need to adopt to achieve a measure of regional stability. He called on the region's rivals "to respect each other, uphold equity and justice, achieve nuclear non-proliferation, jointly foster collective security, and accelerate development cooperation." Chinese ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chen Weiqing said China would be "willing to play its due role in promoting long-term peace and stability in the…