In some of his first public comments on the war, Xi lamented the “crumbling” world order in a meeting with Spain’s prime minister, proposed a four-point peace plan for the Middle East with Abu Dhabi’s crown prince, and vowed to deepen ties with Moscow in a meeting with Russia’s foreign minister.

The rush of diplomatic traffic to Beijing underscores a quiet but growing expectation among international players that Xi should play a more active role in calming a world edging deeper into conflict.

His potential as a stabilizing force was thrown into sharp relief by President Donald Trump, who spent the week berating one-time allies in the UK and Italy, not to mention the American pope.

But Xi’s diplomatic efforts have so far fallen short of the more concrete initiatives pressing ahead elsewhere. France and the UK are convening talks on opening up the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, while Japan is offering a $10 billion financial package to help Southeast Asian nations hit by soaring oil prices.

China’s position is more complex.

Beijing wants to be seen as a credible force for peace — building on past wins like brokering a détente between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023 — yet remains reluctant to fully step into volatile conflicts.

Tellingly, state media pushed back against claims that China nudged Tehran to the negotiating table.

As Trump talks up a deal to end the Iran war, the question for China isn’t just whether it can convene power — but whether it’s willing to use it.

Vir: Bloomberg