ETBeijing — China called for an end to the war in the Middle East on Friday, warning of the impact on global energy, shipping and trade, with the near three-week conflict showing no sign of slowing. The U.S.-Israeli war has uneven consequences for China. The uncertainty also threatens to disrupt Chinese President Xi Jinping's flagship "Belt and Road" initiative. The war has led to a meeting between Xi and U.S. President Donald Trump to be delayed for about a month and a half. Trump's China trip had been seen as a chance for a reset in relations between the two economic superpowers that have been rattled by U.S. tariffs.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 20, 2026 19:32 UTC