China says military solutions unviable Iran

China’s foreign ministry said on May 15 that military force is not a workable answer to the Iran nuclear issue, using a new public statement to press for negotiations after what it described as a recent U.S.-Iran ceasefire. In remarks published in Beijing at 10:50 a.m., the ministry said “the use of force is a dead end” and that the opening for dialogue “should not be shut again.” The statement tied the Iran crisis to broader regional security, shipping through the Gulf and strain on global supply chains. It also cast China as continuing to support talks rather than coercive measures. ### What exactly did Beijing say on May 15? The Chinese foreign ministry said on May 15 that “dialogue and negotiation is the right way forward, and the use of force is a dead end,” according to an English-language statement published on its website. The ministry said a settlement should address “the concerns of all parties” on the Iranian nuclear issue and other disputes tied to the crisis. (mfa.gov.cn) The same statement said “there is no point in continuing this conflict” and described an early resolution as being in the interests of the United States, Iran, regional countries and the wider world. Beijing also said the “recent U.S.-Iran ceasefire and effort to explore resolving issues through negotiation” had been welcomed by regional countries and the international community. (mfa.gov.cn) ### Why did China connect Iran to shipping lanes and supply chains? Beijing’s May 15 statement said the conflict had already imposed “a heavy strain” on global economic growth, supply chains, international trade order and the stability of global energy supply. The ministry said spillover from the conflict had expanded beyond Iran itself and other countries in the region. (mfa.gov.cn) The foreign ministry also called for shipping lanes to reopen “as soon as possible” and said global supply chains should remain “stable and unimpeded.” That language echoed comments Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made in Beijing on May 6, when he said the international community was concerned about restoring normal and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. ### How does this fit with China’s recent line on Iran? (mfa.gov.cn) Wang Yi said on May 6 that China supported an “immediate and full ceasefire,” opposed renewed conflict and gave priority to talks on the Iran situation during meetings in Beijing with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi. Wang also said China appreciated Iran’s commitment not to develop nuclear weapons while recognizing what Beijing calls Iran’s legitimate right to peaceful nuclear energy. (mfa.gov.cn) March reporting from Xinhua showed the same pattern. State media said China, Russia and Iran had met in Beijing to discuss the Iranian nuclear issue and framed the effort as a push to resume talks. A separate Xinhua commentary that month said dialogue was the “only viable option” for resolving the issue. ### Was this framed as part of talks with Washington? (english.gov.cn) The May 15 statement was issued in response to a question about whether President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping had discussed Iran during Trump’s visit to China, according to the ministry’s published remarks. The answer did not spell out any new bilateral U.S.-China initiative, but it said the two sides had exchanged views on major international and regional issues, including the Middle East. (english.news.cn) Beijing used that setting to restate its public position rather than announce a new mechanism. The ministry said the “door of dialogue” had opened and should remain open, while also calling for a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire and for peace and stability to return to the Middle East and Gulf region. ### What does China say it will do next? China’s foreign ministry said on May 15 that it would continue to act in line with President Xi Jinping’s “four propositions” on Middle East peace and with a China-Pakistan “five-point initiative” on restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region. (mfa.gov.cn) The ministry did not publish a timetable for a new meeting, but it said China would work with the international community to provide stronger support for peace talks. May 6 meetings in Beijing between Wang Yi and Abbas Araghchi are the latest named channel cited by Chinese state outlets for that effort. The foreign ministry’s next public updates are likely to appear through its spokesperson remarks and regular press conference transcripts. (english.gov.cn) (mfa.gov.cn)