新年伊始，中东乱局再掀新风暴。1月2日沙特阿拉伯宣布处决包括知名什叶派教士尼姆尔在内的47名犯有恐怖主义罪行的囚犯，引发伊朗示威者冲击焚烧沙特驻伊朗大使馆，导致沙特宣布与伊朗断绝外交关系，并切断和伊朗的空中联络以及贸易往来。7日，伊朗外交部发言人指责沙特空袭伊朗驻也门大使馆，宣布全面禁止从沙特进口任何商品。沙伊断交、交恶犹如引爆了超级雷管，在中东和全球引发一系列旋风效应：

首先，强烈影响中东地区地缘政治格局。在沙特宣布与伊朗断绝外交关系后，巴林、苏丹、吉布提也宣布同伊断交。阿拉伯联合酋长国宣布把与伊朗的外交关系从大使级降为代办级别。科威特也宣布召回该国驻伊朗大使并递交了抗议照会。至此，海湾阿拉伯国家合作委员会6个成员国中的4个国家已出面“站队”，用外交行动支持沙特。

其次，加剧教派矛盾，可能给地区热点问题的政治解决进程带来消极影响，使地区乃至全球反恐形势增添复杂因素。沙特和伊朗在中东地区的影响举足轻重，两个地域大国交恶势将导致中东安全局势恶化甚至加剧地区国家局势动荡。一方面，沙伊两国已深度介入叙利亚和也门危机，两国断交给叙利亚和也门问题政治解决带来更多不确定性。另一方面，两国交恶将形成地区安全真空，使“伊斯兰国”和各类极端恐怖组织乘机坐大，并可能进一步外溢，对地区乃至全球安全构成新挑战。

沙特和伊朗两个地区大国关系恶化的原因可谓冰冻三尺，非一日之寒。近年来，沙伊交锋不断。2010年底开始的“阿拉伯之春”运动导致中东地缘政治版图重新划分，沙特和伊朗作为逊尼派与什叶派的两个地区大国，为争夺中东伊斯兰世界的领导权展开了激烈博弈，在叙利亚和也门问题上更是针锋相对。伊核协议的达成和伊朗与美国开始走近，更加深了沙特对伊朗地位上升的忧虑和对美的极大不满。沙特宣布与伊朗断交，使沙伊背后角力转变为了前台对决，成为两国地缘政治矛盾的一次爆发，也是沙特对盟友美国不满情绪的发泄。

沙伊断交、交恶引发国际社会广泛关注。联合国秘书长潘基文在第一时间敦促沙伊两国避免局势激化。美国国务卿克里与沙特和伊朗官员通话，再三鼓励沙特与伊朗展开对话。俄罗斯、阿尔及利亚和伊拉克等国均表示愿作为调解伊朗和沙特紧张关系的“中间人”。

对于沙伊关系恶化，中国方面迅速发声规劝双方保持冷静与克制，避免采取加剧关系紧张的行动。中国外交部副部长张明旋即赶赴沙伊两国斡旋。这是中国在中东奉行劝和促谈一贯外交政策的继续，也是中方致力于促进中东和平与稳定努力的继续。自2010年底中东局势发生动荡以来，中国一直积极致力于制止中东地区的暴力冲突，关注、缓解有关国家严峻的人道主义状况，并全面推动中东地区热点问题政治解决。中国也愿与美国等各大国深入合作，通过外交途径，缓和地区国家间的紧张关系，努力化解这一危机，共同推动地区走向和平与稳定。

As if things were not bad enough in the Middle East, just two days into 2016, Saudi Arabia sentenced to death prominent Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr and 46 other prisoners on terrorism charges. Hearing the news, protesters in Iran ransacked and set ablaze the Saudi embassy in Tehran. In response, Saudi Arabia immediately cut off diplomatic ties, flights and trade with Iran. On Jan. 7, the spokesman of the Iranian foreign ministry criticized Saudi Arabia for bombing the Iranian embassy in Yemen and announced an embargo of all imports from Saudi Arabia. The tit-for-tat triggered a perfect storm in the Middle East and around the world.

Let us first examine the geopolitical implications. After Riyadh severed ties with Tehran, three allies — Bahrain, Sudan and Djibouti — followed suit to show solidarity. The United Arab Emirates downgraded relations to chargé d'affaires level, and Kuwait recalled its ambassador from Tehran and lodged ademarche. This means that four of the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council have sided with Saudi Arabia to protest Iranian actions.

There is obviously a sectarian dimension to the chain of events, which will complicate efforts to calm various regional flashpoints and fight extremism both regionally and globally. Saudi Arabia and Iran are influential players in Middle East politics: they are both deeply involved in Syria and Yemen. Strained relations between them will bring more uncertainty to the political settlement of both crises. They will also create a security “vacuum”, which will surely be exploited by the “Islamic State” and other extremist/terrorist groups. The world will balk at the spillover effects.

The Saudi-Iranian standoff is only the latest episode of a long saga. Since 2010, the “Arab Spring” has redrawn the geopolitical map of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, a Sunni power, and Iran, a represent of Shia interests, have been in a fierce contest to gain supremacy in the Islamic world, which played out in both Syria and Yemen. The historic nuclear agreement which comes into force at this writing marked a rapprochement between Iran and the United States, which deepened Saudi Arabia's anxiety over Iranian ascendancy and dissatisfaction with Washington. Until two weeks ago, the fight between Saudi Arabia and Iran did not come out into the open. Now, the gloves are off. For Saudi Arabia, its recent retaliation against Iran is also a shot across the bow intended for its American ally.

The international community has been alarmed. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged steps to de-escalate tension. US Secretary of State John Kerry spoke with senior officials in both countries and encouraged reconciliatory dialogue. Russia, Algeria, Iraq and others have offered their good offices.

China has acted swiftly, urging both parties to calm down and show restraint. Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Ming flew immediately to both capitals. This is consistent with China's longstanding policy and a continuation of its efforts to enhance peace and stability in the Middle East. More broadly, China has worked hard since 2010 to contain the spread of violence, alleviate the humanitarian situation and facilitate the political settlement of varioushot spots in the Middle East. China has worked and will continue to work with the United States and other major powers to reduce tension and resolve the Saudi-Iranian standoff through diplomatic channels. People can expect China to play its due part for peace and stability in the Middle East.