China's Xi meets Pakistan PM Sharif as Iran war mediation drags on
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- Xi Jinping met with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing on May 25, praising Pakistan’s initiative in Middle‑East mediation.
- Shehbaz Sharif arrived after a four‑day official visit to Hangzhou and a meeting with Premier Li Qiang, stressing that the world is at a critical moment and thanking China for its support.
- Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief who led talks with the United States and Iran, accompanied Sharif and highlighted Pakistan’s “sincere” role in shuttling negotiations.
- China has kept a low‑profile mediation role, facilitating calls among Gulf states while urging both sides to reject “unilateralism” and “Cold‑War mentality” as the Iran‑war stalemate continues.
Why it matters: Pakistan bolsters its diplomatic clout as a peace broker, gaining leverage in US‑Iran talks, while China expands its strategic foothold in the Middle East, potentially attracting future economic contracts.
