Xi Calls for Immediate Ceasefire in West Asia Amid Rising Tensions
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called for a comprehensive ceasefire in West Asia, describing further hostilities as "inadvisable," during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, according to state media reports. The talks occurred against a backdrop of heightened tensions in the region, including the departure of two Chinese oil tankers from the strategic Strait of Hormuz, as confirmed by shipping data.
Xi emphasized the need to avoid renewed fighting in the Gulf and the wider West Asia, stressing that negotiations should continue. He characterized the international situation as "fluid and turbulent," and in remarks that appeared to critique U.S. policy, he said "unilateralism and hegemonism are resurging," while affirming that "peace, development and cooperation remain the aspiration of the people and the prevailing trend of our times."
The Chinese leader called for closer China-Russia coordination, stating that both nations, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, should work to make the global governance system "more just and reasonable."
The meeting came days after U.S. President Donald Trump visited China, where he held extensive discussions with Xi on the Iran-Israel conflict, the Strait of Hormuz, and bilateral trade frictions. Trump had earlier stated on Tuesday that the war would be over "very quickly," following his announcement that he had paused a planned resumption of hostilities after Tehran presented a new proposal to end the conflict. He added that Iran's leaders were "begging for a deal," but warned that a new U.S. attack could occur in the coming days if no agreement was reached. U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance acknowledged difficulties in negotiating with what he described as a "fractured Iranian leadership."
According to Iranian state media, Tehran's latest peace proposal includes ending hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon, the withdrawal of U.S. forces from areas near Iran, and reparations for destruction caused by U.S.-Israeli attacks. The proposal also seeks the lifting of sanctions, the release of frozen funds, and an end to the U.S. naval blockade. These terms, as described in Iranian reports, appear largely unchanged from a previous offer that Trump rejected last week as "garbage."
China and Russia are both key strategic partners of Iran, with close economic and military ties, and their influence on Tehran's stance is being closely watched. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for global oil supplies, has triggered concerns about a major energy crisis, making the outcome of these diplomatic efforts critical for international markets.
As of now, there has been no official response from the White House or the Iranian government to Xi's latest statements. The situation remains fluid, with diplomatic channels active but no confirmed breakthrough.