Is China positioning itself to become a US-Iran peace broker?

Hong Kong/Islamabad —  As the war in the Gulf careens into its second month, dragging down the global economy with no off-ramp in sight, questions are deepening around what role China — a global heavyweight and diplomatic partner to Iran — is willing to play.China’s potential role was in the spotlight this week after Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar visited Beijing Tuesday for talks with its top diplomat Wang Yi — a meeting that comes as Islamabad has stepped up to position itself as a peace broker in the conflict.In a statement on «restoring peace» released Tuesday, both countries called for an «immediate ceasefire,» peace talks «as soon as possible,» and a lasting, UN-backed peace."China and Pakistan support the relevant parties in initiating talks,« the two sides said in their five-point initiative released after what Islamabad described as „hours of engagement“ between Dar and Wang. The initiative is Beijing’s most thoroughly articulated view to date on how the conflict should be resolved. It also calls for the securing of shipping lanes; an end to attacks on civilians and non-military targets; and safeguarding the sovereignty and security of both Iran and the Gulf states.But that position, expressed in broad strokes, also raises questions about what concrete steps Beijing would take in a future peace process. How deeply it is willing to get involved in a conflict playing out in a volatile region where it’s balancing relationships with partners on both sides?Official Pakistani sources have told CNN that one of the things that Dar was likely to discuss while in China was the possibility that Beijing works as a guarantor to ensure a peace agreement.Two Pakistani sources also confirmed that while a four-way meeting between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan was underway in Islamabad earlier this week, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari held meetings at the Chinese embassy to discuss the ongoing regional situation.The spokesperson of the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to respond to queries on Tuesday regarding discussions with China, stating that these talks are too „sensitive and nuanced“ for MOFA to make any statements on assumptions.Asked whether a potential role as a security guarantor was raised during the talks Tuesday, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told CNN that Beijing „supports mediation efforts by Pakistan and other countries,“ and is willing to „maintain communication and coordination with all parties to continue playing a constructive role in pursuing peace.“