Beijing, May 10 – China has called upon India and Pakistan to de-escalate rising military tensions and resume peaceful dialogue, voicing deep concern over the recent spike in hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry urged both countries to prioritize regional peace and stability. “We strongly urge both sides to act in the larger interest of peace and stability, exercise calm and restraint, return to the track of political settlement through peaceful means, and refrain from any action that could further escalate tensions,” said the ministry spokesperson.
China, which refers to Pakistan as an "ironclad ally", emphasized that any escalation would not only harm India and Pakistan but also destabilize the broader region. The ministry reiterated China’s readiness to “continue to play a constructive role” in promoting peace.
Background of the Conflict
The latest flare-up follows the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which India attributes to cross-border elements. In retaliation, Indian armed forces carried out precision strikes on terror launchpads across the Line of Control, targeting areas in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).Pakistan responded with a series of drone attacks on Friday night, targeting 26 locations across Indian territory from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat. According to India’s defence ministry, these attempts to strike key infrastructure—including airports and air bases—were effectively neutralized.
Diplomatic Channels Activated
Amid the escalating conflict, high-level diplomatic engagements have taken place. Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar briefed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi via phone on April 27. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong has also met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Foreign Minister Dar to discuss the developments.India Counters Misinformation in China
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Beijing has taken issue with Chinese media coverage of the conflict, particularly in relation to claims made by Pakistan about damage to Indian assets. On May 7, the Embassy posted on X (formerly Twitter), warning against “old images shared by pro-Pakistan handles in the present context.”On Saturday, the Embassy further amplified the Indian government’s official fact-checking efforts, reposting messages from the PIB Fact Check Unit aimed at countering misinformation circulating on social media.
As regional tensions simmer, China’s call for calm underscores the international community’s growing concern over the potential fallout from an extended military standoff between India and Pakistan.