*By Thobile Jiwulane
China’s President Xi Jinping has added his voice to international efforts aimed at ending the war in the Persian Gulf, urging peace, stability, and adherence to international law. His intervention signals Beijing’s deepening involvement in a conflict that has already reshaped the Middle East and rattled global markets.
The war—pitting Israel and the United States against Iran, has engulfed much of West Asia, triggering a global economic crisis as oil prices surged. At the heart of the turmoil lies the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping artery. Its blockade by the warring sides created a stalemate that disrupted oil flows worldwide. Relief came only when Iran, acting unilaterally, reopened the choke-point this week, though tensions with Washington remain acute.
Peace talks mediated by Pakistan are expected to resume, but fears of another direct confrontation between Iran and the US linger. Washington has previously vowed to “crush” Tehran, which demonstrated formidable defence raising the stakes for any diplomatic breakthrough. Earlier peace talks in Islamabad, brokered by Pakistan following a two-weeks ceasefire, broke down causing the war to resume between Iran and Israel, which, despite the ceasefire, had never stopped its bombardment Beirut.
China, alongside Pakistan, has already played a pivotal role in shaping the peace agenda. On 31 March 2026, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar unveiled a Five-Point Initiative in Beijing. Their plan called for an immediate ceasefire, the resumption of talks, protection of non-military targets, and safeguarding of shipping lanes and stranded crews. Crucially, the initiative underscored the primacy of the United Nations Charter and the need for genuine multilateralism. Xi’s latest proposals build on this foundation, offering what Beijing sees as guiding principles for lasting peace.
Xi’s Four Propositions on Safeguarding and Promoting Peace and Stability
First, stay committed to the principle of peaceful co-existence. The Gulf states in the Middle East are close neighbors that cannot move away. It’s important to support the Gulf states in improving their ties, work to build a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security architecture of the Middle East and the Gulf region, and consolidate the foundation for peaceful co-existence.
Second, stay committed to the principle of national sovereignty. Sovereignty serves as a foundation for all countries, especially developing countries, to survive and thrive, and it must not be violated. The sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the Gulp states should be earnestly respected, and the safety of their personnel, facilities and institutions vigorously safeguarded.
Third, stay committed to the principle of international rule of law. We should safeguard the authority of international rule of law, reject selective application, and prevent the world from returning to the law of the jungle. It is important to firmly uphold the international system with the UN at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms governing international relations underpinned by purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
Fourth, stay committed to a balanced approach to development and security. Security is a prerequisite of development and development serves as a safeguard of security. All sides should work to create a sound environment for and bring positive energy to the development of the Gulf states. China stands ready to share with the Gulf countries the opportunities through Chinese modernization， and work with then to nurture a fertile ground for regional development and security.
China’s Expanding Role and the Global South Ethos
Xi’s intervention reflects China’s growing ambition to position itself as a stabilizing force in the Middle East. By pairing calls for sovereignty and international law with promises of economic partnership, Beijing is framing itself as both mediator and benefactor. This dual approach—diplomatic and developmental—mirrors China’s broader global strategy: to counterbalance US influence while offering an alternative model of engagement.
The stakes are high. The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint, and any escalation could reignite oil shocks with ripple effects across the world economy. For Gulf states, China’s proposals offer a potential lifeline: a framework that emphasizes coexistence and development rather than confrontation. For Washington, however, Beijing’s growing role may be seen as a challenge to its traditional dominance in the region.
Analysts view the joint initiative by Pakistan and China as a pivotal intervention in one of the world’s most sensitive conflicts involving the United States. Beyond its immediate diplomatic value, the effort is seen as elevating the Global South’s credibility as a bloc capable of brokering peace on the international stage. By insisting on dialogue over confrontation and multilateralism over unilateralism, Beijing and Islamabad are not only advancing practical solutions but also embodying the principles they champion globally—principles the Global South has long claimed as its defining ethos.
The Gulf conflict has exposed the fragility of global energy security and the limits of unilateral power. Xi’s Four Propositions, layered onto the earlier Five-Point Initiative, represent the most structured attempt yet to chart a path toward peace. Whether they succeed depends not only on Iran and the US but also on the willingness of regional actors to embrace multilateralism. For now, China’s voice adds weight to the chorus calling for an end to a war that the world can ill afford.