China praises Pakistan’s Middle East peace efforts as both sides pledge close coordination

Lead

Chinese President Xi Jinping has thanked visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the country's "proactive role" in mediating between Iran and the United States, as the two nations marked the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and pledged to maintain close communication and coordination to promote peace and stability in the Middle East.

The meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday followed earlier talks between Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Sharif arrived in China on Saturday for a four-day official visit, which began in Hangzhou in eastern Zhejiang province before moving to the capital.

Coverage comparison

The visit has been framed across regional and international outlets as an opportunity to strengthen the long-standing partnership between China and Pakistan. Al Jazeera highlighted Xi's description of the friendship as "unbreakable" and noted Pakistan's status as an "all-weather strategic partner." Dawn, Pakistan's leading English-language daily, emphasized the countries' joint efforts to restore peace in the Middle East, quoting Sharif's call for Islamabad and Beijing to "really be together" in that effort. The South China Morning Post reported that the two sides were expected to use the anniversary to "upgrade their already close relationship." The Hindu — World covered the diplomatic backdrop, noting that both nations have sought to mediate in the West Asia conflict.

Key claims

Xi hails 'unbreakable' friendship

According to Al Jazeera and Dawn, Xi called Sharif an "old friend" and said the two countries had "understood, trusted and supported each other" over decades, forging an "unbreakable traditional friendship." Xi added that "no matter how the international situation changes, China always prioritises the development of China-Pakistan relations in its neighbourhood diplomacy." He said Beijing was willing to work with Islamabad to build a more close-knit China-Pakistan community with a shared future.

Sharif, in turn, called China and Pakistan two "iron brother" countries with a relationship "next to none," as reported by both Al Jazeera and Dawn.

Pakistan's mediation role acknowledged

During the meeting, Xi said: "China appreciates Pakistan's proactive role in mediating peace in the Middle East," according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua, as cited by the South China Morning Post. Xi also told Sharif, "I know that you have just returned from Iran and made positive efforts for the current peace. We still appreciate the constructive role played by Pakistan," as reported by Dawn.

Sharif thanked China for its support for Pakistan's mediation efforts and said Xi's four-point Middle East plan provided a "guiding framework" for peace, according to Xinhua, as cited by the South China Morning Post. The Chinese leader's plan, unveiled last month, stressed the principles of peaceful coexistence, national sovereignty and the international rule of law, as well as a commitment to coordinating development and security.

The army chief's role

Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, accompanied Sharif on the visit. Munir had concluded a visit to Iran on Saturday, where he was part of ongoing mediation efforts alongside Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, as reported by The Hindu — World. Sharif told Chinese leaders that Munir "played a very important role back and forth with the Iranian leadership and the American leadership," according to Dawn.

The Hindu — World reported that Pakistan has emerged as a "central mediator" between the United States and Iran, hosting face-to-face talks last month. The same outlet noted that China has played a "quieter role," shepherding phone calls and meetings with officials of affected Gulf countries.

China's support for mediation

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, said: "We support the active mediation by Pakistan and other countries," as reported by The Hindu — World. Wang added that he had met with Munir before the UN session and that China supports efforts made by the United States and Iran respectively.

Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a press conference that China would work with Pakistan to "make positive contributions to the early restoration of peace and stability in the West Asia," and that "China supports Pakistan in playing a fair and balanced mediating role in promoting peace and ending the war," as cited by The Hindu — World.

Broader diplomatic context

The visit coincided with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, as noted by Dawn, the South China Morning Post, and The Hindu — World. Sharif said the world is "passing through a very critical moment" and that the crisis has hit not only the regional economy but the global community, as reported by Dawn.

A ceasefire agreement since April 8 has halted hostilities in the West Asia conflict, but U.S. President Donald Trump warned on May 20 that the window for diplomacy was closing, according to The Hindu — World. Pakistan hosted mediation talks in Islamabad between Washington and Tehran in April, and Washington has since reported progress in negotiations, as reported by Dawn.

Perspectives

China

Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, have publicly expressed appreciation for Pakistan's mediation efforts while emphasizing China's support for a negotiated settlement between the United States and Iran. Xi described Pakistan's role as "proactive" and "constructive," and Wang reiterated China's support for "active mediation" by Pakistan and other countries.

Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif framed the visit as an opportunity to strengthen the bilateral partnership and to coordinate on Middle East peace efforts. He thanked China for its support in promoting peace and achieving a ceasefire, and said that "lots of ground has already been covered" and that "things are moving in the right direction," as reported by Dawn.

Pakistan observers

Some Pakistani observers have expressed expectations that China will take a more active role in the Middle East peace process, using its global influence to secure tangible progress, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

China analysts

A Chinese analyst cited by the South China Morning Post said Beijing was willing to offer support for peace efforts and help resolve Pakistan's dispute with Afghanistan, but would be reluctant to be drawn directly into efforts to solve the Middle East conflict.