Saudi-Chinese Phone Summit: MBS and President Xi Call for Permanent Ceasefire and Secure Navigation in Hormuz

On Monday, April 20, 2026, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Xi Jinping held a high-stakes call to discuss the volatile situation in the Middle East. President Xi emphasized that China advocates for an immediate and total ceasefire, stressing that maintaining the "natural passage" through the Strait of Hormuz is a shared global interest that must be protected via political and diplomatic means.

Safeguarding Energy:

The Crown Prince warned that the ongoing conflict severely threatens Gulf security and global energy supplies. He expressed Saudi Arabia's commitment to working with China—a "responsible world power"—to maintain the current truce, prevent a resurgence of war, and ensure that the region’s destiny remains firmly in the hands of its people.