China Proposes Five-Point Plan to Resolve Iran War

Beijing steps up diplomacy as U.S. appears disinterested in mediation efforts

Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:08pm

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China has put forward a five-point proposal with Pakistan to help end the ongoing war with Iran, rallying support from Gulf countries and opposing a United Nations plan to use force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This marks China's latest push for a more prominent role in global affairs, though some experts view the efforts as more rhetorical than substantive, with the U.S. showing little enthusiasm for Beijing's mediation.

Why it matters

The war with Iran has become a priority for countries in and outside the region, and China sees this as an opportunity to demonstrate its diplomatic leadership and initiative on the global stage. However, the U.S. appears uninterested in boosting China's international stature or giving it a chance to claim success in the Middle East conflict.

The details

China has been working 'tirelessly for peace' since the outbreak of the war, according to the Chinese Embassy in Washington. Beijing has undertaken a flurry of diplomacy, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaking with counterparts from Russia, Oman, Iran, France, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Wang has also hosted his Pakistani counterpart to hash out the five-point proposal, which calls for an end to hostilities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. China and Russia have argued against a U.N. proposal to allow military force to open the strait, saying it could be exploited to escalate the conflict.

  • The war with Iran began five weeks ago.
  • On Friday, Iran shot down two U.S. military aircraft, a first since the war began.

The players

Sun Yun

Director of the China program at the Stimson Center, a Washington-based think tank.

Danny Russel

A former senior U.S. diplomat and a distinguished fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute.

Liu Pengyu

Spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington.

Ali Wyne

A senior research and advocacy adviser on U.S.-China relations at the International Crisis Group.

Wang Yi

The Chinese Foreign Minister.

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What they’re saying

“The war with Iran is the priority of all countries in and outside the region. It is an opportunity China will not miss to demonstrate its leadership and diplomatic initiative.”

— Sun Yun, Director of the China program at the Stimson Center

“Its narrative is that while Washington is reckless, aggressive and heedless of the cost to others, China is a principled and responsible champion of peace. What we are seeing from China is messaging, not mediation.”

— Danny Russel, A former senior U.S. diplomat and a distinguished fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute

“China has been working 'tirelessly for peace' since the outbreak of the war.”

— Liu Pengyu, Spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington

“An escalation of the conflict will start to harm Chinese interests. Because China's growth model is so export-heavy, prolonged energy shocks and shipping disruption will mean costlier inputs and weaker global demand that damage its vulnerable economy.”

— Danny Russel, A former senior U.S. diplomat and a distinguished fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute

“China welcomes the opportunity to suggest that it is helping mitigate a crisis of America's making, especially as the Trump administration's lack of a considered strategy for containing the fallout becomes more apparent.”

— Ali Wyne, A senior research and advocacy adviser on U.S.-China relations at the International Crisis Group

What’s next

The U.N. Security Council is expected to vote next week on a proposal to authorize defensive, but not offensive, action to ensure vessels can safely transit the Strait of Hormuz. China and Russia have argued against the proposal, saying it could be exploited to escalate the conflict.

The takeaway

China's diplomatic push to resolve the Iran war highlights its desire to play a more prominent global leadership role, even as the U.S. appears disinterested in Beijing's mediation efforts. The conflict presents an opportunity for China to position itself as a 'principled and responsible champion of peace,' though some experts view the efforts as more rhetorical than substantive.