China’s Role in Middle East Peace Efforts
The Chinese Communist Party has expressed its intention to “continue to play a constructive role” in advancing peace in the Middle East, following an announcement of a ceasefire by President Donald Trump and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragushi on Wednesday.
During a regular press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized that China has been “actively working towards ending the conflict.” State media highlighted a recent collaboration with Pakistan, asserting that they announced a “five-point effort to restore peace.” However, this proposal lacked detailed recommendations on how to resolve the conflict, merely urging Iran and the United States to “immediately cease hostilities” and initiate “peace negotiations.” Neither Iran nor the U.S. nor any other involved parties have shown significant support for this plan.
The Pakistani government, a close ally of China, expressed gratitude to China after the ceasefire announcement. Pakistan is positioning itself as a mediator between Iran and the U.S. and is believed to be planning peace talks soon to extend the ceasefire further.
“As a responsible major power, China will continue to engage constructively and work towards restoring stability in the Gulf and Middle East,” Mao declared. This statement was translated and disseminated by the Chinese government on the same day.
Mao further noted that since the conflict began, China has maintained active efforts to facilitate peace, mentioning that Foreign Minister Wang Yi has engaged in 26 phone calls with officials from relevant countries. Yet, she refrained from offering substantial details regarding China’s interventions apart from the Five-Point Initiative and those phone discussions.
“China has always advocated for resolving conflicts through political and diplomatic channels, maintaining communication with multiple parties,” she stated. “We are committed to de-escalation and a complete halt to hostilities.”
State media, China Daily, published an article lauding China’s involvement in the conflict resolution efforts, indicating that China’s diplomatic approach has been both proactive and responsible. They noted the frequency of conversations held by China’s foreign minister with various parties, including Iran and Israel, emphasizing China’s concerted mediation attempts in the region.
This situation escalated sharply after President Trump declared Operation Epic Fury on February 28, aimed at dismantling Iran’s capabilities to threaten its adversaries. That operation, carried out alongside Israel, reportedly resulted in the ousting of Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei. With its current Islamic regime, Iran is regarded as a significant state sponsor of terrorism, backing various terrorist organizations worldwide.
Amid rising tensions, President Trump took to his Truth Social platform to issue stark warnings to Iran, threatening to target its civilian infrastructure if a peace agreement was not made by a certain deadline. Unexpectedly, just prior to the deadline, both Trump and the Iranian foreign minister announced that a peace deal had been reached.
China, as Iran’s largest oil importer, is particularly affected by ongoing hostilities, especially as Iran has disrupted commercial navigation in the vital Strait of Hormuz. This has created anxiety in China, particularly in Hong Kong, about oil supplies.
In light of the crisis, reports suggest that China exerted pressure on Iran to accept the peace deal, paving the way for further negotiations scheduled for the upcoming weekend.
Mao claimed that the underlying issue in the Strait of Hormuz stems from the military operations conducted by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, arguing that resolving the conflict swiftly is crucial for ensuring safe passage through this critical shipping lane.
China’s influence in the Middle East has waned over recent years, largely due to its association with Iran’s proxy forces. Following the attack by Hamas, which is linked to Iran, significant shifts have occurred in regional dynamics. The leadership of Hamas and Hezbollah has changed dramatically, and in Syria, Iranian-supported President Bashar al-Assad was displaced, allowing for a realignment closer to Western influences.
In response to the escalation of tensions and the announcement of Operation Epic Fury, the Chinese government swiftly positioned itself for diplomatic involvement, dispatching envoy Zai Jun to the region for mediation efforts. However, these visits did not yield meaningful results.
China subsequently proposed a peace plan, advocating for an immediate end to hostilities, swift peace negotiations, non-military target safety, and adherence to the United Nations Charter, as reported by the state-run Xinhua news agency.
