China's role in the Middle East is becoming increasingly significant, and China's four-point proposal offers a fresh and constructive framework for advancing peace in the Middle East region, a Turkish expert has said.

ANTALYA, Türkiye, April 20 (Xinhua) -- China's four-point proposal on promoting peace and stability in the Middle East provides a new and constructive perspective for resolving regional tensions, a Turkish expert has said.

In a recent interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026 held on April 17-19, Can Acun, a researcher at the Ankara-based Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research, said that China's role in the Middle East is becoming increasingly significant. He stressed that the four-point proposal offers a fresh and constructive framework for advancing peace in the Middle East region.

During a meeting in Beijing last Tuesday with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the four-point proposal, namely adherence to the principles of peaceful coexistence, national sovereignty, international rule of law, and a balanced approach to development and security.

Noting that the proposal directly addresses the Middle East's core challenges, Acun emphasized that building a regional security architecture, safeguarding national sovereignty, and promoting economic development are all the region's priorities. He added that China's proposal is both reasonable and constructive.

His comments came amid evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East. Acun pointed out that although a ceasefire was recently reached between the United States and Iran, a second round of their negotiations is yet to begin. The two sides failed to reach any agreements in the first round.

Acun observed that a key sticking point remains that could hinder a lasting peace deal in future negotiations. He referred to Iran's uranium enrichment program, noting that Iran maintains a tough stance on its right to enrichment and that any progress in a second round of Washington-Tehran negotiations would require a degree of flexibility from the U.S. side.

Fresh talks could proceed if Washington shows willingness to accommodate Tehran's position to some extent, he said, warning that failure to reach a compromise could risk renewed tensions.

The Turkish expert noted that China's emphasis on dialogue, sovereignty and development in its proposal provides a viable pathway toward long-term stability in the Middle East.  ■