Chinese officials have reportedly played a crucial role in the diplomatic talks that led to Tuesday evening’s ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif gave a special thank you to key external players who helped broker the 10-point ceasefire deal, notably praising China first ahead of the peace talks scheduled for Friday in Islamabad.
“I wish to extend our deepest and sincere gratitude to our brotherly countries People’s Republic of China, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Türkiye, Arab Republic of Egypt and State of Qatar for extending invaluable and all out support towards reaching the ceasefire and giving peaceful diplomatic efforts a chance to seek a comprehensive and conclusive end to the conflict,” Sharif said.
Islamabad has managed to strategically weave a web of close relationships with both the Trump administration and its neighbors, both China and Iran. Pakistan’s presence as an intermediary in the U.S.-Iran peace talks has given China a unique opportunity to play a significant role in settling the conflict.
BOTH SIDES CLAIM VICTORY, AS 39-DAY WAR TAKES A TWO-WEEK PAUSE TO SEE IF US AND IRAN CAN MAKE PEACE
Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, outlined the country’s role in assisting peace efforts on Tuesday before the ceasefire deal was finalized. She said in her remarks that Beijing has “held an objective, just and balanced position and has been working to help bring about a ceasefire and end to the conflict.
“Foreign Minister Wang Yi made 26 phone calls with parties including Iran, Israel, Russia and the Gulf states,” Ning said. “The Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue traveled to the region in a mediation effort. Last week, China and Pakistan issued the five-point initiative, which embodies the international consensus for ceasefire and peace.”
For Beijing, the opening of the Strait of Hormuz has been a linchpin of its desire to achieve peace in the Middle East conflict. China imports up to 40% of its oil and 30% of its liquefied natural gas through the strait, which the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has locked most tankers out of since the U.S. and Israel first launched their joint airstrikes on Iran on Feb. 28.
“Reaching a ceasefire and resuming dialogue as soon as possible is what the international community hopes to see,” Ning said. “China welcomes all efforts conducive to peace and supports Pakistan in making active mediation effort.”
The ceasefire deal that the U.S. and Iran ultimately agreed to on Tuesday evening hinges on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said it would guarantee the safe passage of ships through the waterway with Iranian military coordination, while charging vessels for transit. President Donald Trump said the collection of tolls in the strait may be a “joint venture” between the U.S. and Iran.
When Trump was asked on Tuesday by AFP if China played a role in encouraging Iran to agree to the ceasefire deal, he said, “I hear yes.”
The Chinese involvement in the Middle East peace talks comes about one month before Trump is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The visit was initially delayed because of the war in Iran.
TRADE CHIEF SAYS ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA IS ‘STABLE’ AHEAD OF TRUMP VISIT
United States Trade Rep. Jamieson Greer called the U.S.’s economic and trade relationship with China “stable” in remarks on Tuesday.
Though the U.S. has imposed a wide range of tariffs on Beijing’s goods and the two countries are in competitive races over artificial intelligence and landing on the moon, Trump and Xi have long maintained a complex but communicative relationship.
The Washington Examiner has reached out to both the White House and the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., for comment.
