As the war in the Middle East enters its second month, disrupting global energy supplies and causing a sharp spike in oil prices, China is attempting to intervene as a peacemaker.
This occurred after President Donald Trump said U.S. military action in Iran could be concluded "within two or three weeks," though there is still no clear picture of how that might happen or what comes after.
China joined Pakistan, which has emerged as an unexpected mediator in the U.S.-Israel war against Iran. Officials from Beijing and Islamabad presented a five-point plan aimed at establishing peace and reopening the critical Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan, a past ally of the U.S., appears to have urged Trump to mediate in this conflict.
However, Beijing views Washington as a rival ahead of crucial trade negotiations next month between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Trump.
China's assistance in this is "extremely important," says Zhu Yongbiao, a Middle East expert and director of the Afghanistan Studies Center at Lanzhou University.
"China is providing comprehensive support in the hope that Pakistan can play a more unique role morally, politically, and diplomatically."
This is also a turning point for Beijing, whose official stance on the war has been very passive so far. So why is China intervening now?
