US-Israel, Iran conflict: China calls for an immediate ceasefire ahead of Xi-Trump meeting
China urged an immediate ceasefire as the US–Israel war in Iran entered its ninth day, warning of wider escalation and economic fallout. Beijing also projected itself as a stabilising global power while calling for continued engagement with Washington ahead of a planned Xi–Trump summit.
The United States–Israel war in Iran has now entered its ninth day, with no signs of easing so far. Amid the ongoing conflict, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated Beijing's call for an immediate ceasefire to “prevent the situation from escalating and avoid the spillover and spread of the flames of war,” CNN reported.
Presenting the country as a defender of peace and stability, Yi said on Sunday (local time) that the conflict should never have happened and benefited no one. Speaking at a news briefing on the sidelines of the annual assembly of China's rubber-stamp legislature, he portrayed Beijing as the world's most important force for peace, stability, and justice.
He added, "All parties should return to the negotiating table as soon as possible and resolve their differences through equal dialogue."
Beijing's growing concern over the Iran war
Beijing's growing concern over the Iran war comes at a time when the country's top leader, Xi Jinping, is gearing up to host US President Donald Trump for crucial talks between the two sides toward the end of this month. The summit between the two leaders is expected to address a wide range of significant issues, such as trade frictions and Taiwan. With the Iran war raging and Trump seeking "unconditional surrender," another layer of complication appears to have been added to the impending talks between Xi Jinping and Trump.
China–Iran ties
According to the report, Iranian leaders have had close relations with Beijing for a long time. China, like several other countries, has expressed alarm over the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the strikes on 28 February, as well as the surge in oil prices and the potential impact on the global economy caused by the escalating conflict.
Is Beijing a reliable superpower?
Amid the escalating tensions, Beijing is now seizing the opportunity to project itself as a reliable and responsible superpower, presenting a sharp contrast to the US, which has injected uncertainty into the world through wars, the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and the waging of a global trade war against China and several of its closest allies.
Arguing China's case for being a reliable superpower, Wang Yi said that Beijing has provided the most precious source of stability and certainty for a turbulent world, adding that it has become an irreplaceable anchor amid global chaos.
US–China ties
Despite projecting itself as a reliable superpower, Wang called for continued engagement with Washington to address and resolve key differences. He added that Xi Jinping and Trump have set an example in helping bilateral ties between the two countries achieve stability despite turbulence.
"What is needed now is for both sides to make thorough preparations, foster a conducive environment, manage existing differences, and eliminate unnecessary interference."
He further said that both Washington and Beijing are major powers and neither can change the other, but rather they should focus on changing the way the two sides interact.
About the Author
Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.