China Proposes Four-Point Plan for Middle East Peace at UN

China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Fu Cong, presented a comprehensive four-point proposal for advancing peace in the Middle East during a UN Security Council high-level open debate on June 10, 2026. The proposal comes at a moment of acute regional crisis, with Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupting global energy supplies, ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, and escalating US-Iran military tensions.

Speaking at the Security Council’s 10,169th meeting — chaired by Colombian President Gustavo Petro Urrego, whose country held the June 2026 Council presidency — Fu warned that the situation “not only impacts regional peace and stability, but also directly affects the world economy and energy security, harming the common interests of all countries,” according to Xinhua News Agency.

The Four-Point Proposal

Fu’s proposal outlines four pillars for de-escalation and long-term stability in the Middle East:

Political settlement through peaceful means. Fu called on all parties to uphold the UN Charter, resolve differences through dialogue, and avoid the use or threat of force. He specifically urged restraint regarding the Iran situation and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Fairness, justice, and international rule of law. The ambassador argued that the protracted nature of Middle East conflicts stems from justice not being served and Security Council resolutions not being implemented. He called for renewed efforts to implement the two-State solution for Palestine, rejected any attempts to annex Palestinian territory, and supported Palestine’s bid for full UN membership.

Independence, autonomy, and cooperative common security. Fu asserted that the path from chaos to order in the Middle East lies in breaking free from major-power geopolitical rivalry. He called for a regional security framework built through inclusive reconciliation, urged a “Syrian-led, Syrian-owned” political transition, and demanded Israel’s complete withdrawal from the Golan Heights, which he noted is internationally recognized as occupied Syrian territory.

Addressing root causes through development and revitalization. The proposal emphasized the need for post-conflict reconstruction, humanitarian relief, and sustainable development. Fu firmly opposed protectionism and illegal unilateral sanctions, and specifically called on parties to restore normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, whose blockage he said “impacts global supply chains, international trade order, and energy supply stability.”

A Broader Diplomatic Push

This initiative builds on an earlier four-point plan proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in April 2026 during talks with UAE leadership, which emphasized peaceful coexistence, national sovereignty, international rule of law, and a balanced approach to development and security, as reported by People’s Daily. Fu’s June proposal adapts these principles to the specific context of the Security Council debate.

China has increasingly positioned itself as a diplomatic mediator in the Middle East, building on its successful brokering of the Saudi Arabia-Iran normalization agreement in March 2023. The four-point proposal serves multiple strategic objectives: countering US influence in the region, protecting China’s energy security as the world’s largest oil importer, and safeguarding its Belt and Road Initiative investments.

Regional and Global Context

The Security Council debate took place against a backdrop of severe regional instability. UN Secretary-General António Guterres briefed the Council, warning that the escalation “reverberates across borders and continents,” as covered by UN News. The Strait of Hormuz crisis — through which approximately 20% of the world’s daily oil supply transits — has had severe global economic consequences, with the Council deeply divided over how to respond.

According to the Security Council Report, the Council remains divided over several Middle East conflicts, with individual member states and regional organizations increasingly taking the lead in diplomatic efforts, sometimes sidelining the UN. This has prompted concern about the declining political role of the world body.

Analysis and Outlook

China’s proposal differs notably from Western approaches to the region. It emphasizes non-interference in internal affairs, rejects unilateral sanctions, and frames the crisis as partly stemming from “major-power geopolitical rivalry” — implicitly criticizing US policy. The proposal is likely to be welcomed by Iran, Syria, and Palestinian authorities, as it aligns with their positions on sanctions, sovereignty, and the two-State solution.

Key questions remain: whether China will follow up with concrete mediation efforts, how the US will respond to Beijing’s increasingly active diplomatic role, and whether China can leverage its relationship with Iran to facilitate a resolution to the Strait of Hormuz crisis. What is clear is that China is positioning itself as an alternative diplomatic force in a region where traditional power dynamics are rapidly shifting.