In the weeks leading up to US President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing, his administration has been pressuring China to turn to Iran amid negotiations for a peace deal between the two countries.
But when President Trump departed Beijing on Air Force One on Friday afternoon after spending just over 40 hours in the Chinese capital and holding a series of meetings with President Xi Jinping, there was little evidence that the world’s two most powerful countries had reached an agreement on how to end the war against Iran.
Meanwhile, the war itself is currently in its 77th day.
Here’s what both sides said about the war at the summit between President Trump and Xi Jinping, what their disagreements were, and where it remains in the effort to end the conflict in the Middle East.
The big picture: What did China say about the war?
The war against Iran began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran amid talks between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program. Iran responded on the same day with missile and drone attacks across the region, targeting Israel as well as U.S. military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
The Trump administration has maintained that the war was justified and aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, even though Iran has repeatedly said it has no intention of building nuclear weapons.
However, China, which had previously condemned the war, doubled down on its opposition to the conflict in a statement issued during President Trump’s visit to Beijing.
“China’s position on the situation in Iran is very clear. The conflict has caused serious losses to the people of Iran and other regional countries,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on its X account.
According to government statistics, more than 3,000 Iranians were killed during the war.
“Finding a way to resolve the situation early is in the interest not only of the United States and Iran, but also of regional countries and other countries of the world,” the Chinese statement said.
The statement added that China welcomes the continued ceasefire efforts brokered by Pakistan and believes that dialogue is the way forward. “It is important to reach a comprehensive and durable ceasefire as soon as possible,” the statement added.
The report pointed to President Xi’s previously proposed four-point plan for peace and stability in the Middle East, calling for peaceful coexistence, politically negotiated reconciliation, shared security, and development-led cooperation. China will continue to act in accordance with this plan, it added.
What did both sides say about the Strait of Hormuz?
“Both countries agree that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to support the free flow of energy,” the White House said in a statement posted on its X account on Thursday.
Iran has restricted shipping through the strait since early March. The strait is a narrow waterway that connects Gulf oil-producing countries to the open ocean, and before the war, 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies were transported through the strait. Iran allows ships from some countries to pass through, but transit negotiations are required with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).
In previous proposals to end the war, Iran had proposed imposing tolls and tolls on ships attempting to transit through Iran. The US government has repeatedly rejected this prospect. In April, the United States announced a naval blockade of ships entering and leaving Iranian ports, adding further disruption to global oil and gas supplies.
The White House statement added: “President Xi also made clear that China opposes any effort to militarize the Strait and impose fees on its use, and expressed interest in purchasing more U.S. oil to reduce China’s dependence on the Strait in the future.”
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged in a statement that “the conflict is putting a heavy burden on global economic growth, supply chains, the international trade order, and the stability of global energy supplies, and harming the common interests of the international community.”
However, China’s statement made no mention of tolls on Iran or militarization of the strait.
The meeting between President Trump and Mr. Xi took place amidst the global energy crisis triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. China is one of the countries that relies heavily on Gulf oil shipped through the strait, and is also a major buyer of Iranian oil.
What did they say about Iran’s nuclear program?
“Both countries agree that Iran cannot acquire nuclear weapons,” the White House said in a statement.
China’s statement does not explicitly state that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons. Instead, it said, “It is important to stabilize the momentum of de-escalation, maintain a commitment to a political solution, engage in dialogue and consultation, and reach a settlement on the Iranian nuclear issue and other issues that addresses the concerns of all parties.”
Iran has never publicly stated its intention to develop nuclear weapons, and China has previously worked with the United States, European countries and Russia to secure the Barack Obama-era nuclear deal with Iran aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear program. Iran is believed to have around 440 kg (970 lb) of 60% enriched uranium. Producing nuclear weapons requires 90 percent enriched uranium.
What does this mean?
The statements released by both sides essentially indicate that neither side has changed its original position on Iran. While China has made clear its stance of sticking to President Xi’s four-point plan, the United States has repeatedly opposed Iran’s nuclear program.
Official statements from leaders suggest that is not what the United States wanted.
Trump administration officials, who have been pressuring China for weeks to take a more active role in persuading Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, said just before the summit that China’s help was not needed.
“I don’t think we need any assistance when it comes to Iran,” President Trump told reporters on Tuesday, adding that the U.S. would win the war “one way or another.” Also on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testified in a Capitol Hill hearing about the Iran war and its growing costs. In his testimony, he said China has “significant influence” over Iran. But he acknowledged, “I think the most influence is in the hands of President Trump.”
But before and during the summit, other Trump administration officials have made more direct demands on China.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said last week: “The straits have been closed due to an attack from Iran. We are trying to reopen them. So we urge China to join us in supporting this international operation.”
And on Thursday, during a visit to China, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US would push China to do more, while insisting the US did not need China’s help.
“It’s in their interest to resolve this issue,” Rubio said, referring to China and its dependence on the Strait of Hormuz as an energy import corridor. “We hope to persuade them to take a more active role in getting Iran to retreat from what it is currently doing and trying to do in the Persian Gulf.”
