China has signalled its support for Yemen's government, which is fighting an Iran-allied militia, on the first day of a visit to Saudi Arabia by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who will also be heading to Tehran later in the week.

As the latest episode in regional conflict has unfolded, China has acted quickly on the diplomatic front, working with the United States and other major powers to reduce tension and resolve the Saudi-Iranian standoff through dialogue.

A Chinese diplomat urged "calm and restraint" between Saudi Arabia and Iran during a visit to both countries last week, China's government said Monday.

While Moscow-Ankara tensions are in the short-term spotlight, a different bilateral relationship will shape the outcome of Middle East conflicts. Should the militaries of Russia and US cooperate fully, the complete collapse of ISIS could be expected soon, as Russia’s foreign minister recently noted. Such a truly united front in the war on terrorism would be a gratifying achievement on the world stage.

Russian relations with NATO have tensed up as a result of Moscow’s intervention and squabble with Turkey, as the US re-weighs its core interests and level of involvement on the ground in the region.

The global community needs the participation of countries where the IS and other terror groups have made their bases, with the help and backing of the broad masses of Muslim people in the region. Outside force has proven to be inadequate to eliminate the violence and the root causes behind it, and serious nation-building is required.

While outside interference in Middle Eastern affairs has done nothing to improve the employment situation, build strong and efficient political structure, and prompt a solid union against terrorism, a kind of regional security structure including major regional powers and external powers is urgently needed. In this regard, the U.S. can do a lot, and China’s Belt and Road Initiative should be another opportunity for a fresh approach.

If big powers show courage and set aside their differences, and work together in a just, balanced intervention under the framework international law, they will not only help the Syrians out of hardship and avoid long-term instability in the region, they may also find a new way to prevent similar armed conflicts in the future.

Syria’s disintegration exemplifies the eclipse of U.S.-sponsored regime changes, whereas Chinese policy holds the promise of economic development. But time for a global solution is running out.

The award was not an endorsement behind the ideals of the Arab Spring, which has dissolved into chaos. The prize honors the country’s choice of dialogue instead of confrontation, and engaging in negotiation instead of opening fire.