China Says It Is Working to End War in Iran and Secure Peace in the Middle East

China says it is working to help end the war in Iran and promote lasting peace in the Middle East, as U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping begin the second day of talks. In an official statement published on Friday, May 15, the Chinese government said it hoped to play a constructive role in achieving sustainable peace by providing greater support for peace negotiations. The statement said China’s efforts are based on a four-point proposal put forward last month by President Xi Jinping. Under the proposal, all countries are urged to pursue “peaceful coexistence, respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, adherence to international rules, and a balance between development and security.” Trump and Xi are continuing their discussions on Friday at the secluded leadership compound in China. Talks held on Thursday between the two leaders were described as “positive.” The White House also said on Thursday that China had aligned with the United States on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and had expressed readiness to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.