China, Pakistan call for Iran peace talks, normal navigation in Strait of Hormuz

BEIJING - China and Pakistan on March 31 called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gulf and the wider Middle East, urging peace talks to start as soon as possible and the restoration of normal navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as their foreign ministers met in Beijing.

Both countries have called for talks to end the US-Israeli war on Iran, now in the fifth week. Islamabad has previously said it is ready to facilitate peace talks between Washington and Tehran.

Pakistan, which shares a more than 900km border with Iran, has emerged as a key mediator, building on its courtship of US President Donald Trump and its reputation as a relatively neutral player with long-standing ties to Iran.

“Dialogue and diplomacy are the only feasible ways to resolve conflicts,” China and Pakistan said in a five-point initiative put forward during the meeting. “China and Pakistan support the parties concerned in initiating negotiations, and all sides should commit to resolving disputes through peaceful means.”

The initiative said the sovereignty, territorial integrity, national independence and security of Iran and Gulf countries should be safeguarded, and called for the protection of civilians, civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities.

Foreign ministers Wang Yi and Mohammad Ishaq Dar also said the safety of waterways must be ensured, including that of ships and crews stranded in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint now at the centre of global energy and shipping concerns.

China and Pakistan called on all parties to “arrange for civil and commercial vessels to pass through safely as soon as possible and restore normal navigation in the strait at an early date,” the initiative said.

Mr Dar’s trip to Beijing comes after Pakistan hosted talks with Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia on March 29 and Mr Trump’s warning to “obliterate” Iran’s oil wells and power plants if it does not open the Strait of Hormuz.

Mr Wang on March 31 welcomed Pakistan’s efforts in mediating, saying China supports and looks forward to Pakistan playing an important role in easing tensions and helping resume peace talks.

“China is willing to work with Pakistan to overcome difficulties, remove obstacles, bring the fighting to an end as soon as possible, create opportunities for peace and open the window for peace talks,” Mr Wang told Mr Dar, according to a statement from China’s foreign ministry. REUTERS