China has said it supports Pakistan in playing a “fair and balanced” role in efforts to resolve the Middle East conflict, as diplomatic activity around the US-Israeli war on Iran intensifies.

The statement came ahead of a scheduled visit by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Beijing from Saturday to Tuesday for high-level talks. China’s foreign ministry did not confirm whether the Iran conflict would be on the agenda.

What is China’s position on Pakistan’s role in Middle East mediation?

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing supports Pakistan in “playing a fair and balanced mediating role in promoting peace and ending the war.”

He added that China would work with Pakistan to “make positive contributions to the early restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East.” The two sides would also hold “in-depth exchanges” on bilateral relations and issues of common concern during the leadership talks.

How has Pakistan emerged as a key mediator in the Middle East conflict?

Pakistan has increasingly positioned itself as a central intermediary in regional diplomacy, hosting talks with US and Iranian counterparts in recent weeks.

Its military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, was also expected in Tehran, according to Iranian media reports. Beijing and Islamabad have both framed themselves as facilitators in the crisis, which escalated after US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

A ceasefire in place since April 8 has held intermittently, while US President Donald Trump this week warned that the diplomatic window to resolve tensions was narrowing.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had earlier urged Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to step up mediation efforts in the region during a recent call. Wang Yi also praised Pakistan for facilitating a temporary ceasefire extension between Washington and Tehran, according to Al Mayadeen.

What role is China playing in the Middle East diplomacy?

China has taken a lower-profile diplomatic approach, facilitating contacts and discussions with officials across Gulf states affected by the conflict.

Following talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last week, Trump told Fox News that Xi had offered assistance in helping open the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route disrupted since hostilities escalated. Over the past two weeks, Beijing also hosted separate visits from Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin as international diplomatic activity around the conflict gathered pace.