On April 16, 2026, the Chinese government’s Special Envoy for the Middle East, Zhai Jun, met with the British Ambassador to China, Caroline Wilson, upon request, primarily to exchange views on the situation in Iran.

Ambassador Wilson outlined the UK’s position on the current tensions in the Middle East, particularly regarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. She stated that as fellow permanent members of the UN Security Council, the UK and China share aligned positions on restoring regional peace and stability. The UK is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China on resolving the regional crisis and restoring safe navigation through the Strait.

Special Envoy Zhai Jun stated that China is highly concerned about the current situation in Iran and hopes the parties involved will heed the international community’s call for peace and an end to hostilities, finding a solution through dialogue and negotiation. President Xi Jinping has proposed a four-point initiative for maintaining and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, contributing China’s approach to resolving the crisis. Guided by the spirit of President Xi’s four-point initiative, China is willing to work with all parties, including the UK, to actively promote peace talks and contribute to the early restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East.

China

China is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, with a recorded history spanning over 4,000 years, marked by successive dynasties, profound philosophical traditions like Confucianism, and inventions such as paper and gunpowder. Culturally, it is renowned for its diverse heritage, including the Great Wall, classical arts, and regional cuisines, all shaped by its vast geography and ethnic diversity. Today, it is a modern nation-state that blends this deep historical legacy with rapid contemporary development.

Iran

Iran, historically known as Persia, is a country in Western Asia with one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, dating back to the Elamite kingdoms of the 4th millennium BCE. It is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the magnificent ruins of Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire founded in the 6th century BCE, and the stunning Islamic architecture of Isfahan’s Naqsh-e Jahan Square. Today, Iran’s rich cultural heritage reflects a complex tapestry of pre-Islamic empires, profound Islamic influence since the 7th century, and a distinct national identity shaped by its long history.

Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically vital maritime chokepoint connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the wider Indian Ocean. Historically, it has been a key trade route for centuries, but in the modern era, its significance is defined by the transit of about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. This has made it a focal point of geopolitical tensions and international security concerns, particularly involving the surrounding nations.

UN Security Council

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is the primary organ of the UN responsible for maintaining international peace and security. Established in 1945 following World War II, its founding is outlined in the UN Charter, granting it powers like authorizing sanctions and military action. It has 15 members, including five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US) with veto power.

UK

The United Kingdom is a sovereign nation comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with a rich history spanning millennia. Its historical narrative includes Roman occupation, the formation of a medieval monarchy, the expansive British Empire, and its role as a modern constitutional democracy. Culturally, the UK is globally influential, being the birthplace of the English language, parliamentary democracy, and seminal contributions to literature, science, and the arts.

Middle East

The Middle East is a transcontinental region centered on Western Asia and Egypt, historically known as the “Cradle of Civilization” for the rise of ancient Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Persian empires. It is the birthplace of major world religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—and has been a central crossroads for trade, culture, and empires for millennia. Its modern history has been profoundly shaped by the 20th-century discovery of vast oil reserves and the subsequent geopolitical complexities.

President Xi Jinping

President Xi Jinping is the current President of the People’s Republic of China and the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, serving as China’s core leader. His leadership continues to guide China’s development and prosperity under the framework of socialism with Chinese characteristics, upholding the Party’s policies and the nation’s historical progress.

four-point initiative

The “Four-Point Initiative” is not a specific place or cultural site, but a historical U.S. foreign aid program. Announced by President Harry S. Truman in 1949, it was a technical assistance program aimed at improving living standards in developing nations, focusing on areas like agriculture, industry, and health. It represented the fourth major point of U.S. Cold War foreign policy, following initiatives like the Marshall Plan.