BEIJING — China said on Wednesday its joint “mediation” with Pakistan aims to create a window of talks between the US and Iran as the armed conflict in the Middle East continues in the fifth week. “The situation in the Middle East is the focus of all parties, it continues to be tense (which) is not in line with interests of any party,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing. China and Pakistan Tuesday proposed a Five-Point peace plan for the Middle East, which included immediate cessation of hostilities, start of peace talks as soon as possible, security of non-military targets, security of shipping lanes, and primacy of the UN Charter. The proposal was released after a meeting in Beijing between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar. Beijing and Islamabad in their proposal, called for “early and safe passage of civilian and commercial ships, and restore normal passage through the Strait as soon as possible.” Mao said the “mediation efforts made by China, Pakistan, and other parties should be welcomed by all and we (China) are willing to work with Pakistan to steer clear of disruptions, stop the fighting, and create a window of peace talks.” “The top priority is to start peace talks as soon as possible,” she added. Pakistan, which shares a more than 900‑km border with Iran, has emerged as a key mediator, building on its reputation as a relatively neutral player with long-standing ties to Iran. “Dialogue and diplomacy are the only feasible ways to resolve conflicts,” China and Pakistan said in the five-point initiative put forward during the meeting. “China and Pakistan support the parties concerned in initiating negotiations, and all sides should commit to resolving disputes through peaceful means.” The initiative said the sovereignty, territorial integrity, national independence and security of Iran and Gulf countries should be safeguarded, and called for the protection of civilians, civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities. Dar’s trip to Beijing comes after Pakistan hosted talks with Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia on Sunday and Trump’s warning to “obliterate” Iran’s oil wells and power plants if it does not open the Strait of Hormuz. Wang on Tuesday welcomed Pakistan’s efforts in mediating, saying China supports and looks forward to Pakistan playing an important role in easing tensions and helping resume peace talks. “China is willing to work with Pakistan to overcome difficulties, remove obstacles, bring the fighting to an end as soon as possible, create opportunities for peace and open the window for peace talks,” Wang told Dar. The joint initiative came as Pakistan facilitates indirect talks between the US and Iran to end the war. Tensions in the Middle Eastern region have escalated since Israel and the US launched a joint offensive against Iran on Feb. 28, resulting in more than 1,340 deaths, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and infrastructure damage, while disrupting global markets and aviation. — AgenciesBEIJING — China said on Wednesday its joint “mediation” with Pakistan aims to create a window of talks between the US and Iran as the armed conflict in the Middle East continues in the fifth week. “The situation in the Middle East is the focus of all parties, it continues to be tense (which) is not in line with interests of any party,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing. China and Pakistan Tuesday proposed a Five-Point peace plan for the Middle East, which included immediate cessation of hostilities, start of peace talks as soon as possible, security of non-military targets, security of shipping lanes, and primacy of the UN Charter. The proposal was released after a meeting in Beijing between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar. Beijing and Islamabad in their proposal, called for “early and safe passage of civilian and commercial ships, and restore normal passage through the Strait as soon as possible.” Mao said the “mediation efforts made by China, Pakistan, and other parties should be welcomed by all and we (China) are willing to work with Pakistan to steer clear of disruptions, stop the fighting, and create a window of peace talks.” “The top priority is to start peace talks as soon as possible,” she added. Pakistan, which shares a more than 900‑km border with Iran, has emerged as a key mediator, building on its reputation as a relatively neutral player with long-standing ties to Iran. “Dialogue and diplomacy are the only feasible ways to resolve conflicts,” China and Pakistan said in the five-point initiative put forward during the meeting. “China and Pakistan support the parties concerned in initiating negotiations, and all sides should commit to resolving disputes through peaceful means.” The initiative said the sovereignty, territorial integrity, national independence and security of Iran and Gulf countries should be safeguarded, and called for the protection of civilians, civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities. Dar’s trip to Beijing comes after Pakistan hosted talks with Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia on Sunday and Trump’s warning to “obliterate” Iran’s oil wells and power plants if it does not open the Strait of Hormuz. Wang on Tuesday welcomed Pakistan’s efforts in mediating, saying China supports and looks forward to Pakistan playing an important role in easing tensions and helping resume peace talks. “China is willing to work with Pakistan to overcome difficulties, remove obstacles, bring the fighting to an end as soon as possible, create opportunities for peace and open the window for peace talks,” Wang told Dar. The joint initiative came as Pakistan facilitates indirect talks between the US and Iran to end the war. Tensions in the Middle Eastern region have escalated since Israel and the US launched a joint offensive against Iran on Feb. 28, resulting in more than 1,340 deaths, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and infrastructure damage, while disrupting global markets and aviation. — Agencies
