Denis Staunton's guide to understanding world events - what’s happening, why it matters and how it affects youChina has just signed on to a five-point proposal for peace in the Middle East. But it will not take on a leading role in ending the Iran war. China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, said after a meeting in Beijing with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, that Beijing welcomed Islamabad’s role in attempting to mediate between the United States and Iran. Dar came to Beijing directly after meeting foreign ministers from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Egypt in a quadripartite formation that could prove central to securing peace. The final point says that a comprehensive peace framework should realise “lasting peace based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law”.

Source: The Irish Times April 01, 2026 11:00 UTC