China goes beyond bystander role in brokering Mid-East ceasefire

SINGAPORE: When the Middle East war first broke out, it appeared that China had few levers to pull as the escalating conflict delayed plans for a high-stakes meeting in Beijing between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Beijing had to shore up its domestic energy security and soften the blow of surging fuel prices at home as the war disrupted global oil and gas supplies flowing through the Strait of Hormuz. Despite China’s close relationship with Iran, some observers noted that Beijing’s influence appeared limited to public condemnation and posturing at the United Nations, where China…