China Supports Pakistan’s Mediation Role in US-Iran Conflict: What This Means for Regional Stability

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Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson[Chinese Foreign Ministry = Yonhap News Agency][Chinese Foreign Ministry = Yonhap News Agency]

China said it supports Pakistan taking on a mediating role between the United States and Iran amid their ongoing conflict.

At a March 30 briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Beijing backs any effort that eases tensions and restarts dialogue. “We call on all parties to resume a peaceful negotiation process as soon as possible,” she said, adding that Beijing “highly values Pakistan’s efforts to de-escalate the situation” and supports Islamabad continuing to act as a mediator.

Mao said China is prepared to strengthen communication and cooperation with Pakistan and other concerned countries to promote reconciliation, bring the conflict to an end and safeguard regional peace and stability.

Separately, Mao responded to reports that China had shipped diesel and other fuels to Southeast Asian countries amid an energy squeeze linked to unrest in the Middle East. She said China intends to work with other countries to protect energy security.

Bloomberg, citing vessel-tracking data, reported that two Chinese tankers transported more than 260,000 barrels of diesel to the Philippines over the weekend, while a third tanker moved about 100,000 barrels of distillate to Vietnam.

Bloomberg also noted it was unclear whether those cargoes had been offloaded.

Asked whether Beijing was assisting neighboring states and whether such shipments would continue, Mao said turbulence in the Middle East has produced supply shortages in global markets for energy, fertilizer and other bulk commodities, affecting many countries. “China is willing to maintain dialogue with other countries and jointly safeguard global energy security. But to address the problem at its root, military action must stop,” she added.

Mao said she had no specific information to share about the reported diesel shipments and directed inquiries to the relevant Chinese ministries or companies.

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Hyo-in Jang (hijang@yna.co.kr)