Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian at the press conference on March 24, 2026

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday that China expressed hope that all parties involved will seize every opportunity for peace and launch peace talks as soon as possible. Lin made the remarks in response to a media inquiry about what efforts China will make to promote talks for peace, following a phone conversation between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi at the latter's request. Araghchi said that Iran expects China to continue playing a positive role in promoting peace and ending the war.

Lin said that the spillover effects of the conflict in Iran continue to expand, severely impacting peace and stability in the Middle East and the world. An immediate ceasefire and end to the fighting are the common expectation of the people in regional countries and the shared call of the international community. During his phone call with Araghchi on Tuesday, Wang emphasized China's principled position that all regional hotspot issues should be resolved through dialogue and negotiation rather than the use of force, and that talking is always better than continuing to fight. 

Lin said that since the outbreak of the conflict, China has been working actively to promote a ceasefire and make efforts for peace. As long as the conflict continues, China's diplomatic mediation efforts will not stop. 

China will further play a constructive role in promoting peace and ending the war, and will work together with regional countries and the international community to contribute to the early restoration of peace and tranquility in the Gulf Region, said the spokesperson.

Global Times