How China’s Energy Needs Are Driving Its Push for Peace in the Middle East

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China’s push for stability in the Middle East reflects energy dependence and economic pressure, as Beijing seeks to manage trade tensions and reset relations with the United States.

China has been critical of the US war against Iran and remained aloof from the diplomacy taking place in Islamabad—until very recently. In early April, China officially entered the talks, such as they are, alongside other concerned parties, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt. China’s role soon became apparent as it emerged as a force in helping broker a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States, something strongly suggested by President Donald Trump.  Although China would probably prefer its US archrival bogged down in another war, Beijing has its own reasons for seeing the Persian Gulf at peace. The usual platitudes about the need for dialogue and negotiations aside, China needs some type of stability in the Persian Gulf for its economic supply chains, and if relative calm can be restored, it could help reset relations with the United States. 

China’s Dependence on Middle East Oil and LNG 

Oil looms large in Chinese geoeconomic considerations. The Asian giant is heavily dependent on imported oil and natural gas. According to Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy, in 2025 China imported close to half of its crude oil and one-third of liquified natural gas (LNG) from the Middle East. The three major Middle Eastern sources of oil are Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq. Although Iran has been under US economic sanctions for the sale of its........

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