New Delhi: China Wednesday praised Pakistan for “brokering” a temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran, “as well as for playing a fair and balanced mediating role” while hosting the two sides for negotiations to end the West Asia war.
“China welcomes all efforts conducive to securing a ceasefire and ending the fighting, and commends Pakistan for its assistance in brokering the temporary US-Iran ceasefire, as well as for playing a fair and balanced mediating role,” China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun was quoted as saying by Global Times Wednesday.
Guo’s remarks come at a time when US President Donald Trump has hinted at restarting negotiations in Pakistan to end the US-Israel and Iran war.
The Iranian and American delegations had convened in Islamabad on 11 April to discuss an agreement for ending the war, which began on 28 February as US and Israel attacked Tehran. The two warring sides could not reach a breakthrough in these talks, though diplomatic efforts have been ongoing ever since.
The negotiations were held after the US announced a two-week ceasefire, which will be called off by 22 April unless a lasting deal is reached by then.
Asked whether Beijing would play a mediating role, Guo reiterated China’s support for dialogue. “The urgent priority is to do everything possible to prevent a resumption of hostilities, preserve the hard-won ceasefire momentum, and adhere to resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means,” he said.
Guo’s comments come a day after Chinese President Xi Jinping met the UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Beijing Tuesday and outlined a four-point framework for regional stability in West Asia. The framework was centered on what Xi called a “common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable” security architecture for the region, which has been in turmoil since the war disrupted oil and gas supplies world over.
At the meeting, Xi said both countries “must strengthen coordination in light of the choice between peace and war, and unity and confrontation”, and called for building a stronger and more comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the Arab world.
The Crown Prince arrived in Beijing Monday to deepen bilateral ties. China has become one of the UAE’s largest economic partners, with non-oil trade between the two countries reaching approximately $111 billion in 2025, according to data by Abu Dhabi.
That diplomatic warmth contrasts sharply with the present state of Pakistan-UAE ties, which took a dive recently.
Islamabad is set to repay a $3.5 billion rollover loan owed to Abu Dhabi this month, after a senior Pakistan cabinet minister announced the decision at a briefing and said that “national dignity could not be compromised for financial considerations”. The UAE had asked for the immediate return of the money.
The escalating West Asia conflict is believed to have accelerated the process, as Abu Dhabi had previously been reluctant to roll over the loans, the Express Tribune reported.
(Edited by Prerna Madan)
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