China becomes latest country to get an invite to join Trump's ‘Board of Peace’

China on Tuesday confirmed that it has received an invitation from the United States to join US President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace”, though Beijing stopped short of saying whether it would take up the offer.

“China has received the United States’ invitation,” foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a regular press briefing, declining to clarify if China plans to accept.

The Board of Peace was initially envisioned as a body to oversee the reconstruction of war-ravaged Gaza, but its mandate appears broader, with no clear restriction limiting its scope to the occupied Palestinian territory.

Washington has reportedly reached out to several global leaders to serve on the panel, which would be chaired by Trump. Those invited include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

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Guo also addressed the broader state of ties between Beijing and Washington, saying relations had remained largely steady over the past year despite tensions triggered by a trade war and reciprocal tariffs.

“Over the past year, China-US relations have experienced ups and downs, but have maintained overall dynamic stability,” Guo told reporters.

He added that engagement, rather than rivalry, serves the interests of both countries. “Cooperation between China and the US benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both,” Guo said.

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The invitation comes at a time when Washington and Beijing continue to balance strategic competition with selective cooperation, even as disputes over trade, security and geopolitics persist.

Also read | France 'does not intend' to accept Trump's invitation to join Board of Peace for Gaza: Report

What is Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’?

Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” is the centerpiece of his broader ceasefire plan for Gaza. The initiative forms part of a 20-point “Comprehensive Plan” announced last September, which Trump says has received backing from leaders across the Arab world, Israel, and Europe. The United Nations Security Council formally endorsed the framework through Resolution 2803 in November.

In a letter shared by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, Trump described the project as the moment “when earlier diplomatic ambitions would finally be put into action.” He wrote, “Now it is time to turn all of these Dreams into reality. At the heart of the Plan is The Board of Peace, the most impressive and consequential Board ever assembled, which will be established as a new International Organization and Transitional Governing Administration.”

The Board is intended to function both as an international organisation and transitional governing authority for Gaza, overseeing civil institution rebuilding, governance restoration, economic recovery, and investment mobilisation. Trump will chair the board and retain veto power over decisions, giving the US significant influence.

Also read | Why joining Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ could be tricky for India

The initiative is linked to phase two of the US-brokered ceasefire, dealing with Gaza’s reconstruction, Hamas disarmament, and deployment of an international security force. The White House has outlined a three-tier governance structure, with the Board of Peace at the top, followed by the Gaza Executive Board, and finally the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (Ncag), which is the only Palestinian-led body.

As per Bloomberg, countries contributing $1 billion would become permanent members, while non-permanent members would have no fee. A draft charter reportedly gives Trump authority over membership decisions, renewals, and final approvals, centralising control of the board under his leadership.