China urges end to Middle East war as Trump visit rescheduled

2026-03-26 - 07:49

China on Thursday urged all parties involved in the Middle East conflict to prioritise de-escalation and move toward ending hostilities, as concerns grow over regional spillover and civilian casualties. Speaking in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian emphasised that prolonging the war would only worsen the situation and serve no strategic interest. Call for urgent peace talks Lin stated that the immediate priority should be to revive diplomatic efforts and create conditions for meaningful negotiations. “The pressing priority now is to actively promote peace talks,” he said, adding that all sides must work collectively to open the door for sincere and effective dialogue. Beijing reiterated its support for initiatives aimed at reducing tensions and facilitating a political resolution. China positions itself as mediator According to Lin, China is prepared to play a constructive role in advancing peace efforts. He stressed that diplomatic engagement remains essential to preventing further escalation, particularly as the conflict risks expanding beyond its current scope. China has increasingly positioned itself as a stabilising actor in regional crises, including in the Middle East. Trump visit back on schedule Addressing bilateral relations, Lin confirmed that communication continues regarding Donald Trump’s postponed visit to China. He noted that direct engagement between national leaders plays an “irreplaceable role” in maintaining ties between Beijing and Washington. The visit, initially planned for late March, was delayed due to developments linked to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. The White House has since announced new dates, with Trump expected to travel to Beijing on May 14–15 for talks with Xi Jinping, in what is seen as a key diplomatic engagement amid rising global tensions.