Beijing's diplomacy in the shadow of the regional war in 2023 and with the start of the Gaza war, Jaijun, China's special envoy for Middle East affairs, intervened to consult with the regional parties. At that time, China presented a plan on the ceasefire and the resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. A week after the start of the war against Iran, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced the release of Jaijun to help reduce tensions caused by the US and Israeli strikes. Xi Jinping also proposed a four-point initiative for peace and stability in the region. The fear of the spread of the crisis to the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa has put the security of the sea lanes and the extra-regional implications in the focus of China's attention. It seems that Beijing seeks to establish itself as a stabilizing power and a responsible player in the region. Read the full text here.