China asks Pakistan to help mediate US-Iran crisis

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on Pakistan to intensify its mediation efforts in the Iran crisis, expressing Beijing's support for Islamabad's role in facilitating negotiations between Washington and Tehran. During a call with Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar, Wang said China will continue backing Pakistan's diplomatic efforts to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore regional peace. The call comes as US President Donald Trump visits Beijing for his first summit with President Xi Jinping since 2017, with the Iran war threatening to overshadow discussions. The US and Iran extended their initial two-week ceasefire to allow Tehran time to develop a unified proposal, though tensions remain high and the truce has been repeatedly tested through US "self-defence strikes" against Iranian targets. Trump's two-day Beijing visit follows the so-called "Busan truce" that temporarily paused trade and tariff disputes between the two powers. He told reporters before departing that he does not need China's help with Iran, asserting that Washington will "win it one way or the other" through either a deal or military action. The American leader also indicated he would raise the contentious issue of US arms sales to Taiwan, which include an $11 billion package approved after significant pressure on Taiwan to relocate semiconductor manufacturing to American soil. While trade is expected to dominate discussions, the fragile relationship remains held together by last year's agreement following Trump's announcement of 145 percent tariffs on Chinese goods. A large US delegation including Tesla's Elon Musk and Apple's Tim Cook will accompany the president. Meanwhile, China is actively diversifying its energy sources amid disruptions in the Persian Gulf, expanding crude oil imports including from the United States to strengthen its energy security position heading into the summit. Reports indicate 15 tankers departed the US for China in April alone, demonstrating Beijing's efforts to reduce dependence on Gulf oil as tensions threaten supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz.