On April 8, Israel time, the United States and Iran reached a ceasefire arrangement, which Israel has also expressed support for. China welcomes this development, supports and commends the mediation efforts of Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, and sincerely hopes that all parties will exercise restraint, resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiation, and restore peace and stability to the Gulf and the broader Middle East at an early date.
Since the outbreak of the conflict, hostilities have escalated, severely undermining regional peace, stability and development, and inflicting heavy casualties and economic losses. The Middle East belongs to its countries, and to the world as well. The security of its energy supplies, sea lanes and trade is a matter of global concern. Prolonged conflict harms the world economy, financial stability, energy security and people's livelihoods. The international community widely calls for an early ceasefire, and many countries have worked actively to mediate.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a responsible major country, China has maintained close communication with all relevant parties, including those directly involved, to promote peace and de-escalation. To advance a ceasefire and open the door to negotiations, Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held 26 phone calls with counterparts, including those from Israel and Iran, while Special Envoy Zhai Jun has carried out intensive shuttle diplomacy across the region, even amid ongoing hostilities.
On March 31, China and Pakistan issued in Beijing a Five-Point Initiative for Restoring Peace and Stability in the Gulf and Middle East Region:
- Immediate cessation of hostilities and utmost efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading;
- Start of peace talks as soon as possible, with all parties committing to peaceful resolution of disputes;
- Security of nonmilitary targets, observing the principle of protecting civilians in military conflict, immediately stopping attacks on civilians and nonmilitary targets, and fully adhering to International Humanitarian Law;
- Security of shipping lanes, and restoring normal passage through the Strait as soon as possible;
- Primacy of the UN Charter, and conclusion of an agreement for establishing a comprehensive peace framework and realizing lasting peace.
This initiative reflects the broad consensus of the international community to promote peace and end the fighting. The current ceasefire and emerging negotiations offer a valuable opportunity to restore peace at an early date. China looks forward to more countries supporting and joining this initiative to advance lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.
On April 7, the UN Security Council voted on a draft resolution concerning the Strait of Hormuz. China voted against it, not to oppose for opposition's sake, but as a responsible move to uphold regional and international peace and stability. The fundamental solution to navigation concerns lies in an early ceasefire. Council action should ease tensions, not legitimize unauthorized military operations, grant a license for the use of force, or fuel escalation. China's vote is objective, impartial and will stand the test of time.
The Middle East is marked by complexity and recurring tensions. Israeli friends often ask: which side does China take? The answer is clear — China stands firmly on the side of peace, on the side of dialogue, and on the right side of history.
First, China is committed to an independent foreign policy of peace, determining its positions based on the merits of each issue. It opposes all violations of international law and works to uphold the basic norms of international relations, as well as fairness and justice. This is a fundamental principle of China's diplomacy and will not waver.
Second, the cornerstone of China's Middle East policy is to promote reconciliation and peace. China does not pursue geopolitical self-interest in the region, nor does it incite or support bloc confrontation.
Third, China maintains friendly relations with all countries in the Middle East and adheres to the principle of upholding justice over affinity. It does not take sides or play one against another.
China consistently believes that Israel's right to exist and its legitimate security concerns should be fully respected, and that the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of all countries in the region must also be respected.
China's civilization, spanning five millennia, holds a profound understanding of war and peace. The Chinese character "武" （wu, meaning "martial" or "force") is composed of the elements "止" (to stop) and "戈" (a weapon), conveying that the true purpose of force is not to kill, but to prevent and end war. The Jewish people, after millennia of diaspora, have a profound longing for peace that is deeply ingrained in their history and identity. The Jewish classic Talmud teaches: "Seek peace, and pursue it". Jews often speak of "beating swords into plowshares," a theme echoed in the iconic sculpture in the garden of the UN Headquarters in New York. The preamble of the UN Charter likewise calls for "saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war." This should be a shared aspiration of all nations, to be advanced through concrete actions.
The situation remains fragile, but wars do end, and peace will prevail. Guided by the Global Security Initiative, China will continue to help cool tensions, pave the way for ceasefire, and build bridges for dialogue, contributing to lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.
Xiao Junzheng is the Chinese Ambassador to the State of Israel.
