Beijing calls for calm and a return to political dialogue as tensions between nuclear-armed neighbours rise.
Beijing, May 10. As tensions mount between India and Pakistan following a sharp escalation in cross-border hostilities, China issued a strong appeal to both nations on Saturday to exercise restraint and prioritise peace. The Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation, warning against further actions that could escalate the conflict into a full-scale war. “We strongly call on both India and Pakistan to give priority to peace and stability, remain calm and restrained, return to the track of political settlement through peaceful means, and avoid taking actions that further escalate tensions,” a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement released in Beijing.
The statement comes at a time when both countries have reported military casualties, airspace violations, and intensified troop mobilisations along the border. Global powers have been watching the region closely, alarmed by the prospect of open conflict between two nuclear-armed states.
China, which shares borders and complex strategic ties with both India and Pakistan, has historically positioned itself as a cautious mediator in South Asian disputes. Beijing’s latest call underscores its growing anxiety over regional instability and the risk of broader geopolitical fallout, especially as the conflict intensifies with strikes and counterstrikes underway.
Diplomatic sources indicate that China has been engaging in backchannel communications with both New Delhi and Islamabad, urging de-escalation and a resumption of dialogue. The Chinese leadership is also expected to raise the issue in multilateral forums if the situation continues to deteriorate.
China’s appeal adds to a growing international chorus — including calls from the United Nations, United States, and European Union — for restraint and peace in South Asia. As of now, neither India nor Pakistan has officially responded to Beijing’s statement.
