As the war in the Middle East enters its second month, choking the world's energy supply and sending oil prices soaring, China is trying to step in as a peacemaker.
It comes as President Donald Trump says US military action in Iran could end in two to three weeks, but there is no clear sense yet of how that will happen or what comes after.
China joins Pakistan, which has emerged as an unlikely mediator in the US-Israel war against Iran. Officials in Beijing and Islamabad have presented a five-point plan with the aim of bringing about a ceasefire and re-opening the vital Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan, which has been a US ally in the past, seems to have won over Trump to mediate this conflict.
Beijing, however, is entering the fray as a rival to Washington, ahead of crucial trade talks between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Trump next month.
China's backing on this is very important, says Zhu Yongbiao, a Middle East expert. Morally, politically and diplomatically, China is providing comprehensive support with the hope that Pakistan can play a more distinctive role.
It's notable that this proactive stance is a shift for Beijing, whose official response to the war has been muted up until now. The new approach signals a desire for stability that underpins China's significant economic interests in the region.
The peace plan emerged after Pakistan's foreign minister met with his Chinese counterpart, highlighting the urgency of diplomatic solutions amidst pursuing military options.
With China's economy heavily reliant on stable energy supplies, Beijing's engagement in peace initiatives reflects a larger strategy to safeguard its own economic stability and market access, further complicating the dynamics of international relations in the region.
