Chinese Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs Zhai Jun and French Ambassador to China Bertrand Lortholary convened in Beijing on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, to address escalating regional conflicts. The diplomatic exchange occurred as smoke from reported US-Israeli airstrikes in Tehran underscored the urgency of their discussions.
Ambassador Lortholary emphasized France's concern about the conflict's global economic repercussions, endorsing a five-point peace initiative jointly proposed by China and Pakistan. "Our positions show significant alignment in pursuing Gulf stability," the French diplomat stated, pledging continued coordination with Beijing.
Special Envoy Zhai warned of expanding conflict spillover effects, noting risks to energy security and international trade routes. "As UN Security Council permanent members," he asserted, "China and France must champion impartial mediation and immediate ceasefire implementation."
The meeting highlights growing great-power consensus on containing Middle Eastern hostilities, with both nations advocating for multilateral dialogue platforms. Their coordination comes as regional analysts report increased commodity market volatility linked to the crisis.
