Signal Iran's FM Araghchi visits China, to meet Wang Yi ahead of Xi's US trip

Summary

China's Foreign Ministry announced that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit China and hold talks with Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party's Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister. The visit precedes Chinese President Xi Jinping's expected trip to the United States to meet with President Trump. China is economically exposed to the Middle East conflict while maintaining a close diplomatic relationship with Iran. Hosting Iran's foreign minister just before Xi's own trip to Washington can be read as carrying a diplomatic message toward both countries. From that position, it has continued urging a ceasefire and a negotiated settlement that would respect Iran's sovereignty and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.