China urges immediate ceasefire, dialogue in Middle East following talks with Iran

China’s foreign ministry on Wednesday (May 6) said it supports urgent efforts to end the conflict, resume negotiations, and restore peace and safe passage in the Middle East, after foreign minister Wang Yi met his Iranian counterpart in Beijing on the same day.

Speaking to reporters at a regular press briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, "China believes that an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire is urgently needed, and resuming hostilities must be avoided."

China also reiterated its commitment to "de-escalating tensions and reducing hostilities" aiming to play a greater role in "restoring peace and stability in the Middle East region".

Araqchi's visit, announced by state news agency Xinhua, is his first trip to China since the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran set off the most severe global oil supply shock in history and undermined the energy security of China, the world's top crude importer.

Earlier this week, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged China to intensify its diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.

Bessent said President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping would exchange views on Iran in person during their May 14 to 15 talks in Beijing. But he emphasized the two will seek to keep the steady U.S.-China relationship on track following a trade truce in October.

Bessent urged China to "join us in this international operation" to open the strait, but did not specify what actions Beijing should take. He added that China and Russia should stop blocking initiatives at the United Nations, including a resolution encouraging steps to protect commercial shipping in the strait.

-Wang Shubing, Josh D. Arslan/Reuters