China, Pakistan vow 'positive contributions' for Middle East peace

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pledged to make "positive contributions" for peace and stability in the Middle East during the Pakistani leader's four-day visit to Beijing, as both powers seek to secure a lasting diplomatic resolution to the ongoing war between the United States and Iran.

Beijing praised Islamabad's efforts to promote multilateralism, peaceful dispute resolution and regional cooperation during its July 2025 presidency of the UN Security Council, according to a joint statement issued Tuesday. The Pakistani side expressed support for President Xi's four propositions on safeguarding and promoting peace in the Middle East, while China appreciated Pakistan's facilitation of the temporary ceasefire between Washington and Tehran that took effect on April 8, as well as its hosting of subsequent peace talks in the Pakistani capital.

Both sides also reiterated their commitment to early implementation of a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf region, expressing readiness to jointly contribute to ending the conflict that has disrupted maritime traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan additionally said it firmly supports all efforts by China to achieve national reunification and resolutely opposes any form of "Taiwan independence," the statement said.

Afghanistan Coordination and Regional Security

The war between the US and Iran began on February 28 when Washington and Tel Aviv launched coordinated attacks against Iranian nuclear and military facilities, prompting Tehran to retaliate with drone and missile barrages against regional targets and to shutter the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping — a move that has disrupted global energy markets. A ceasefire mediated by Pakistan took effect on April 8, but subsequent negotiations in Islamabad have failed to produce a permanent settlement; former US President Donald Trump extended the temporary truce indefinitely last week while maintaining a strict blockade on vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports, claiming the final agreement has been "largely negotiated" and awaits only formalization.

Beyond the Gulf crisis, Beijing and Islamabad agreed to maintain close coordination on developments in Afghanistan and strengthen cooperation on regional security issues, welcoming the successful holding of informal talks among China, Afghanistan and Pakistan in Urumqi last month. Both sides stressed that no individual, group or organization should be allowed to use any territory to undermine security or threaten the interests of regional countries, and agreed to remain in close contact on Afghanistan-related matters while continuing to facilitate dialogue between Islamabad and Kabul, according to the statement.