China and Pakistan have jointly proposed a five-point initiative aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East, calling for an immediate ceasefire, immediate dialogue and strengthening protection for civilians and critical infrastructure.
The proposal came after talks between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Beijing on March 31, 2026, where both sides reviewed the rising tensions across the region.
At the heart of the initiative is a call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, with both countries urging all parties involved in the ongoing conflicts to cease further escalation.
He also stressed the need for unrestricted humanitarian access to affected populations.
China and Pakistan stressed that dialogue is the only viable way to resolve their disputes, and advocated an early start of peace talks.
The resolution underlines the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries in the region, especially Iran and the Gulf countries.
Both countries called on all parties to commit to peaceful negotiations and refrain from threats or use of force during the process.
The initiative emphasizes adherence to international humanitarian standards and urges warring parties to stop attacks on civilians and non-military targets.
“Critical infrastructure, including energy facilities, desalination plants, power systems and even peaceful nuclear installations, must be secured”, the statement said, warning that damage to such assets could worsen the humanitarian situation.
China and Pakistan also highlighted the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global energy supplies and trade.
He called for the safety of ships and crew in the area, urging parties to ensure the safe and fast passage of commercial vessels and to restore normal shipping operations as soon as possible.
The resolution emphasized the primacy of multilateralism, with both countries advocating a stronger role for the United Nations in conflict resolution.
They called for efforts to align peacebuilding initiatives with the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, including the development of a comprehensive and sustainable peace framework.
Speaking on the initiative, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning described the proposal as centered on three key principles: “Stop, Talk and Ensure.”
He said the plan reflects a shared understanding between Beijing and Islamabad on the urgency of ending hostilities, resuming dialogue and ensuring security in conflict areas.
Mao said China would continue to engage closely with Pakistan and other stakeholders to play a “constructive role” in reducing tensions and promoting peace in the region.
Responding to a question on whether the Beijing talks addressed the ongoing border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Mao declined to give further details, referring journalists to the official version of the meeting, a Chinese embassy statement said.