China warns ‘flames of war’ spreading and calls on US to help manage differences ahead of Xi-Trump meeting
China warns ‘flames of war’ spreading and calls on US to help manage differences ahead of Xi-Trump meeting
As Iran’s conflict intensifies, China’s foreign minister Wang Yi has urged the US to collaborate in managing regional tensions ahead of the upcoming summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump. In a Sunday news briefing at the annual meeting of China’s rubber-stamp legislature, Wang framed his nation as a bastion of peace, asserting that the war should never have occurred and has yielded no benefits to any party.
“This was a war that should never have happened, and a war that benefited no one,” Wang said. “All parties should return to the negotiating table as soon as possible and resolve their differences through equal dialogue.”
Beijing has positioned itself as a stabilizing force in a chaotic world, offering a contrast to the US’s recent interventions. Wang emphasized that China has become “the world’s most vital force for peace, stability, and justice,” advocating for an immediate ceasefire to “prevent the situation from worsening and halt the global spread of conflict.”
The summit, set to take place in late March, aims to tackle critical issues such as trade disputes and the status of Taiwan, amid the backdrop of a rapidly escalating Middle Eastern conflict. Iran’s leaders have maintained strong ties with Beijing, and the nation has expressed concern over the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the economic repercussions of the war, including rising oil prices.
More than a week after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, the conflict shows no signs of abating. Trump recently declared that any agreement with Iran must involve “unconditional surrender,” without specifying the terms. China has remained largely silent on the matter, raising questions about its response to the US’s removal of two influential leaders in the past two months.
Beijing has seized the opportunity to project itself as a dependable superpower, contrasting with the US’s actions that have introduced global uncertainties. Wang highlighted that China has provided “the most precious source of stability and certainty for a turbulent world, becoming an irreplaceable anchor amid global chaos,” while expressing optimism about the summit’s potential to stabilize bilateral relations despite ongoing challenges.
He stressed the importance of both sides preparing thoroughly, creating a favorable environment, addressing existing differences, and removing unnecessary obstacles. “China and the United States are both major powers, and neither can change the other — but we can change the way we interact,” Wang said, urging the US to align with this vision.
Over the past several months, US allies such as French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have visited China, signaling Beijing’s effective strategy in building diplomatic ties. Wang acknowledged this shift, noting that “an increasing number of European leaders now recognize China as a global partner rather than a rival,” and called for enhanced cooperation and trade between the two blocs.
Wang also addressed Trump’s initiative to establish the Board of Peace as an alternative to the UN, pledging support for multilateralism and the preservation of the global organization.
