Thu Jun 26 09:19:33 UTC 2025: **News Article Summary:**

**China Calls for Ceasefire in Israel-Iran Conflict, But Influence Remains Limited**

Beijing positioned itself as a potential mediator during the recent Israel-Iran conflict, calling for a ceasefire and de-escalation. Despite condemning Israel’s actions and expressing a desire for a mediated solution, China’s influence in resolving the conflict remained limited. Experts say China’s approach is driven by its economic interests, particularly its reliance on Middle Eastern oil and investments in the region.

While China successfully mediated deals between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and Palestinian factions, Israel’s wariness towards Beijing’s relationship with Iran hinders its ability to be seen as a neutral mediator. Despite its ambition to become an influential player in the Middle East, China still relies on the US as the primary security guarantor in the region and its overall influence is currently constrained.

**News Article:**

**China’s Ceasefire Call in Israel-Iran Conflict Masks Limited Influence**

**Beijing** – China’s recent call for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Iran conflict underscored its desire to play a larger role in Middle Eastern diplomacy, but experts suggest its influence in resolving the crisis remains limited.

Following Israel’s attack on Iran on June 13, Beijing swiftly engaged both sides, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemning Israel’s actions. President Xi Jinping echoed calls for de-escalation at the UN Security Council.

However, analysts point to China’s deep economic ties to the region as a primary driver of its involvement. With significant investments in Israel’s tech sector and the Belt and Road Initiative spanning multiple Middle Eastern nations, a protracted conflict poses a direct threat to China’s interests. Furthermore, China relies on the Middle East for over half of its crude oil imports, making stability in the region paramount.

“War and security instability undermines Chinese investment and trade, and the oil price and gas energy security,” said Alam Saleh, a senior Lecturer in Iranian Studies at the Australian National University.

While China successfully brokered a detente between Iran and Saudi Arabia in 2023 and a unity pact between Hamas and Fatah, its close relationship with Iran remains a sticking point. Israel views Beijing’s ties with suspicion, limiting China’s ability to act as an impartial mediator.

“China’s offer to mediate highlights its desire to be seen as a responsible global player, but its actual leverage remains limited,” said Evangeline Cheng, a research associate at the National University of Singapore.

Despite its ambition to be a major power in the Middle East, China currently benefits from the US presence in the region. While the US acts as the primary security guarantor for regional countries, China can present itself as the more restrained, calm, and responsible major power in the diplomatic sphere.

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