Second Day of Talks China Pushes for Iran Ceasefire at Trump-Xi Summit

As US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping hold high-stakes talks in Beijing, the focus has shifted toward global trade, Taiwan and the ongoing Iran conflict.

Addressing the escalating conflict in the Middle East, the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a strong statement on Friday, asserting the Iran war "should never have happened" and calling for its immediate end.

“Finding a solution as soon as possible is beneficial to both the US and Iran, as well as to countries in the region and the world as a whole,” the statement read.

While Beijing had previously kept a low profile regarding the conflict during the summit, it is now explicitly advocating for a "comprehensive and lasting" ceasefire. The Foreign Ministry emphasized diplomacy over military action: “China has always maintained that dialogue and negotiation are the right path... Now that the door to dialogue has been opened, it should not be closed again.”

A key priority for China is global trade stability. The ministry called for the swift reopening of shipping routes to maintain the smooth flow of global supply chains and respond to the international community's concerns.

Following the diplomatic talks, the ministry noted that Trump and Xi reached “a series of new consensuses,” though specific details remain undisclosed.