China supports countries in the Middle East in upholding their strategic independence, getting rid of external "interference", and keeping the region's future in their own hands, China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Thursday.
Qin made the remarks in a meeting with the foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia in Beijing, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.
Iran and Saudi Arabia announced the restoration of diplomatic relations with the signing of a joint statement following the meeting, the foreign ministry said.
(Reporting by Ethan Wang and Ryan Woo; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)