China, Pakistan urge immediate ceasefire, push to restore Hormuz shipping

China and Pakistan on Tuesday jointly called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gulf and the broader Middle East, urging the start of peace talks and the restoration of normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz following high-level talks in Beijing.

The appeal comes as the US-Israeli conflict with Iran enters the second month, raising global concerns over energy security and regional stability.

Both countries reiterated the need for dialogue to end the ongoing hostilities, with Pakistan positioning itself as a potential mediator between Washington and Tehran.

Pakistan-Iran ties

Pakistan, which shares a long border with Iran, has increasingly taken on a diplomatic role, leveraging its ties with both sides and its outreach to Donald Trump. Islamabad has previously expressed readiness to facilitate negotiations aimed at de-escalation.

“Dialogue and diplomacy are the only feasible ways to resolve conflicts,” China and Pakistan said in a 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.”

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Urgency to mediate ongoing war

The joint proposal also stressed the importance of respecting Iran’s sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Gulf nations, while calling for the protection of civilians, infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistan’s Mohammad Ishaq Dar underlined the urgency of ensuring maritime security, particularly in and around the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global oil route.

The initiative urged all parties to “arrange for civil and commercial vessels to pass through safely as soon as possible and restore normal navigation in the strait at an early date.”

Dar’s visit to Beijing follows Pakistan’s recent diplomatic outreach, including talks with Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. It also comes amid heightened tensions after Trump warned of severe action against Iran if it fails to reopen the strait.

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China welcomed Pakistan’s mediation efforts

Wang welcomed Pakistan’s mediation efforts, saying Beijing supports a greater role for Islamabad in easing tensions.

“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 said, according to China’s foreign ministry.

Iran’s FM denies negotiations with US

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has confirmed that messages had been exchanged with the United States, either directly or through countries in the region, amid the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran.

Araghchi told Al Jazeera that the contacts with the US did not mean that Tehran was in negotiations with Washington.