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China and Pakistan propose 5-point peace plan to end Middle East war; demand immediate ceasefire


News Desk

Last Updated: 31 March 2026, 07:56 PM IST

Emphasising diplomacy over force, the framework calls for UN-backed negotiations that respect regional sovereignty.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) speaking with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar in Beijing | Photo: AFP

Beijing: China and Pakistan issued a joint call on Tuesday for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Middle East, unveiling a five-point peace initiative aimed at halting the monthlong war and preventing a wider regional conflagration.

The diplomatic push followed high-level deliberations in Beijing between Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. The two nations, which have positioned themselves as mediators in the conflict triggered by U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, agreed to "strengthen strategic communication and coordination on the Iran situation and ... make new efforts towards advocating for peace," according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The Five-Point Framework

The joint initiative outlines a specific roadmap for de-escalation, emphasising that dialogue and diplomacy remain "the only viable option to resolve conflicts." The five pillars of the proposal include:

  • Immediate Ceasefire: An urgent end to all hostilities to prevent the conflict from spreading further across the region.
  • Commencement of Peace Talks: The rapid initiation of negotiations that respect the sovereignty and security of Iran and neighbouring Gulf states.
  • Protection of Non-Military Targets: An explicit demand to end strikes on civilians and critical infrastructure, including energy facilities and desalination plants.
  • Maritime Security: The guaranteed "early and safe passage of civilian and commercial ships" through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
  • International Law: The establishment of a comprehensive peace framework rooted in the United Nations Charter.

    • "China and Pakistan support the relevant parties in initiating talks, with all parties committing to peaceful resolution of disputes, and refraining from the use or the threat of use of force during peace talks," the joint statement added.

    Brokerage and Backchannels

    The Beijing summit follows a weekend of intense diplomacy in Islamabad, where Dar hosted the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey. While Tehran continues to officially deny direct engagement with Washington, reports suggest a backchannel remains active.

    According to the Iranian Tasnim news agency, an anonymous source indicated that Tehran has transmitted a formal response to President Donald Trump's 15-point peace plan via Pakistani intermediaries. Islamabad has reiterated its readiness to host "meaningful talks" between the United States and Iran to break the current impasse.

    Strategic Balancing

    China remains a vital economic and political partner for Iran but has notably abstained from providing military aid, choosing instead to leverage its influence toward a ceasefire. Similarly, Beijing has urged "calm and restraint" regarding Pakistan's own border frictions with Afghanistan, where Chinese envoys have recently been active in mediation.

    The joint call for the protection of shipping lanes reflects the growing global anxiety over the choked maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a crisis that has sent energy prices fluctuating and threatened international supply chains.

    With inputs from AFP

    Published: 31 Mar 2026, 07:56 pm IST

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