ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - On the second day of a seemingly fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel, China is urging lasting peace in the Middle East and reaffirming its commitment to regional security and stability.
Responding to a question from Rudaw regarding the ceasefire, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that Beijing “pays close attention to developments in the Middle East” and hopes for a “sustainable and effective ceasefire.”
Jiakun also emphasized China’s broader commitment to “promoting peace and stability in the region.”
Tensions between Israel and Iran escalated sharply on June 13, when Israeli airstrikes inside Iran killed senior military commanders and nuclear scientists. In response, Iran launched a barrage of missiles and drones targeting Israel.
The situation intensified further when the United States conducted airstrikes on three major Iranian nuclear sites - Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz - on Sunday. Tehran retaliated the following day with a ballistic missile attack on Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest US military installation in the region.
A US-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel took effect on Tuesday, but it remains precarious amid violations by both sides. Deep-seated strategic disputes - particularly over Iran’s nuclear program - remain unresolved, raising concerns that the truce may be temporary rather than a step toward lasting peace.
For its part, China has traditionally emphasized its “peripheral diplomacy” - a foreign policy that prioritizes stability, economic cooperation, and friendly ties with neighboring countries. However, in recent years, Beijing has adopted a more active diplomatic role in the Middle East.
In March 2023, China brokered a landmark deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia, helping the two rivals restore diplomatic ties after a seven-year rift. The agreement was widely seen as a demonstration of Beijing’s growing influence as a mediator in the region.
On the subject of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, Jiakun told Rudaw that China is committed to maintaining “friendly cooperation.”
China is Iraq’s largest trading partner and the top importer of Iraqi oil. According to Iraq’s Ambassador to Beijing, Shoresh Khalid, trade between the two countries reached an estimated $55 billion in 2024.
In addition to energy and infrastructure projects, Beijing has signed agreements to help alleviate Iraq’s school shortage by building thousands of new schools across the country.