China confirms it has received US invitation to join Gaza peace board

China confirmed on Tuesday that it has been formally invited by the United States to join President Donald Trump's newly established "Board of Peace," an international body tasked with ending the war in Gaza and overseeing the enclave's reconstruction. Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated, "China has received the invitation from the United States," marking Beijing's first public acknowledgment of the diplomatic outreach.

A Non-Committal Response from Beijing

When pressed during a news conference in the Chinese capital on whether his government would accept the invitation, spokesman Guo offered no definitive answer, stating he had "no further information to add." This non-committal response is typical of China's initial diplomatic posture, allowing time to assess the initiative's structure, its alignment with Chinese foreign policy principles, and the positions of other major global actors before making a decision.

The U.S. Vision for the Board of Peace

The White House announced the creation of the board last week, outlining its intended role to "play an essential role in fulfilling" the points of President Trump's plan for Gaza. According to the U.S. statement, the board will provide strategic oversight, mobilize international resources, and ensure accountability as Gaza transitions from conflict to peace and development. The U.S. has concurrently established a "National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG)" and supporting executive boards to implement the second phase of its comprehensive plan.

A Broad Diplomatic Outreach

China is among a wide array of global leaders invited to participate in the board. The Trump administration has extended invitations to counterparts in Arab, Asian, and Western nations in an effort to build a broad multinational coalition. Earlier this week, the presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus confirmed their acceptance as founding members. Invitations have also been reported for other pivotal players, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin, making the potential composition of the board a significant indicator of its future geopolitical weight.

Strategic Implications and Türkiye's Calculated Position

China's cautious response highlights the complex diplomatic calculations surrounding this U.S. initiative. For a global power like China, participation would signal engagement in a key Middle East issue but could also draw it into a framework largely shaped by Washington. For Türkiye, the inclusion of major powers like China could influence its own decision-making. Ankara, a critical regional actor with deep humanitarian and political stakes in Gaza, will weigh whether joining the board provides a genuine platform to influence postwar outcomes in line with Turkish priorities for Palestinian welfare and regional stability, or if it merely legitimizes a U.S.-driven process with predetermined outcomes.