China has praised an agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore diplomatic relations after seven years of hostility, saying the pact will help regional countries to get rid of foreign interference and take the future into their own hands.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Saturday that the dialogue and agreement between Tehran and Riyadh “set a good example of how countries in the region can resolve disputes and differences and achieve good neighborliness and friendship through dialogue and consultation.”

The agreement, he said, “will help regional countries to get rid of external interference and take the future into their own hands.”

The spokesperson emphasized that Beijing pursues no selfish interest whatsoever in the Middle East, respects the stature of the regional countries and opposes “geopolitical competition” in this region.

“China always believes that the future of the Middle East should always be in the hands of the countries in the region.

China always supports the people in the Middle East in independently exploring their development paths and supports Middle East countries in resolving differences through dialogue and consultation to jointly promote lasting peace and stability in the region,” the diplomat said.

The Foreign Ministry official added that China seeks to promote security and stability in the Middle East, supports its development through solidarity and become a partner for development and prosperity.

“China will continue to contribute its insights and proposals to realizing peace and tranquility in the Middle East and play its role as a responsible major country in this process,” the spokesperson said.

Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with Iran in January 2016 after Iranian protesters, enraged by the execution of prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr by the Saudi government, stormed its embassy in Tehran.

The two sides had held five rounds of negotiations in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad since April 2021.