Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla during talks in New York that Beijing would support Cuba’s sovereignty and economic development, according to Chinese state media. Wang said China opposed “all forms of power politics and bullying,” in remarks widely seen as directed at Washington.

The comments come as the Trump administration intensifies pressure on Cuba through sanctions, legal action and restrictions on Venezuelan oil shipments to the island. Washington last week indicted former Cuban president Raul Castro over the 1996 downing of two civilian U.S. aircraft, a move condemned by Beijing.

China has expanded economic support for Cuba in recent months, including rice shipments and agricultural cooperation agreements, as Havana struggles with fuel shortages and economic strain linked to U.S. sanctions.

China’s foreign ministry said Sharif’s meetings would focus on bilateral ties and regional issues, though it did not specify whether the Iran conflict would dominate discussions.

“The leaders of China and Pakistan will have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and issues of common concern,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters in Beijing.

Guo said China would work with Pakistan to “make positive contributions to the early restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East,” adding that Beijing supported Islamabad’s “fair and balanced mediating role” aimed at ending the conflict.

Pakistan has emerged as an active intermediary between Washington and Tehran in recent weeks and hosted talks involving U.S. and Iranian officials last month. Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir was also expected in Tehran on Thursday, according to Iranian media reports.

A ceasefire agreement reached on April 8 has paused direct hostilities in the region, although U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday that diplomatic efforts faced narrowing prospects.

China has maintained a lower-profile role in the crisis, facilitating calls and meetings with Gulf officials while urging regional de-escalation. Following talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last week, Trump said Xi had offered Chinese assistance in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route disrupted during the conflict.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi earlier this month urged Pakistan to intensify mediation efforts during a phone call with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Sharif’s visit also comes as Beijing deepens strategic coordination with Islamabad amid broader geopolitical tensions across Asia and the Middle East.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks during a phone call on Tuesday with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, according to China’s state news agency Xinhua.

“China will continue to support Pakistan’s mediation efforts and make its own contribution toward this end,” Wang said, Xinhua reported, referring to diplomatic engagement aimed at easing tensions between Washington and Tehran and addressing issues linked to the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The comments came as Trump was expected to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday evening for meetings with Xi, whose government maintains close economic and strategic ties with Iran despite persistent friction between Tehran and Washington.

Pakistan has increasingly positioned itself as an intermediary between the United States and Iran as negotiations continue over a potential peace framework following recent conflict between the two countries.

Iran on Tuesday rejected suggestions that it should revise its latest proposals in the talks, after Trump dismissed the proposals as “garbage,” according to statements carried by international media.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Oman and Iran, remains one of the world’s most critical maritime oil transit routes, carrying a significant share of global crude exports.

Any disruption to shipping through the waterway has historically raised concerns in energy markets and among major importing economies, including China.
Beijing has repeatedly called for dialogue and de-escalation in the Middle East while seeking to protect energy supply chains vital to its economy.

China has also expanded diplomatic engagement in the region in recent years, including brokering the restoration of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia in 2023.

Trump’s visit to Beijing comes amid broader discussions between Washington and Beijing over regional security, trade tensions and the future of U.S. policy toward Taiwan, according to officials and state media reports.

The two-day meeting comes as the expanded BRICS grouping, now comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, faces growing diplomatic strain over the Gulf conflict and its economic fallout.

Iran has urged India, which holds the BRICS chairmanship for 2026, to use the forum to forge a consensus condemning military actions by the United States and Israel, according to officials familiar with preparations for the meeting.

The sharpest divisions have emerged between Iran and the United Arab Emirates, which are aligned on opposing sides of the conflict that erupted following military operations launched by the United States and Israel on Feb. 28.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to arrive in New Delhi late on Wednesday for the talks, which run through May 15. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is also expected to attend, while it remained unclear who would represent the UAE delegation.

Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said earlier this year that forging consensus within BRICS had become difficult because several member states were directly involved in the conflict.

An Indian government official told Reuters New Delhi remained hopeful that discussions among ministers could still result in a joint communique despite continuing disagreements.

“Glad that the foreign ministers from all the BRICS countries, except China who is otherwise tied up, are coming,” former Indian diplomat Manjeev Singh Puri said. “This is a good sign on efforts to build a BRICS coalition around a matter of interest to emerging economies and the global south.”

China will instead be represented by its ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, as Foreign Minister Wang Yi is not expected to attend due to President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing this week.

The war has intensified pressure on BRICS economies through rising energy costs and market volatility, prompting several member states, including India, to introduce emergency measures aimed at cushioning consumers and stabilizing domestic markets.

China has maintained a publicly neutral position throughout the conflict while balancing close ties with Iran alongside expanding economic and diplomatic relations with Sunni-majority Gulf states.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he spoke by video call with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss preparations for Trump’s planned May 14–15 visit to China, which would mark a major diplomatic engagement between the world’s two largest economies.

“Our meeting was both candid and comprehensive, and I stressed that China’s recent provocative extraterritorial regulations have a chilling effect on global supply chains,” Bessent said in a post on X.

His remarks marked one of the Trump administration’s clearest public criticisms of Beijing’s newly introduced supply chain regulations, which U.S. businesses and analysts say could make it harder for foreign firms to diversify sourcing of critical minerals and industrial goods away from China.

The rules, introduced in recent weeks, create a legal framework that could penalize foreign companies shifting supply chains out of China, particularly in sectors involving rare earths and strategic manufacturing inputs.Analysts have described the move as a significant escalation that could complicate Washington’s broader effort to reduce dependence on Chinese-controlled supply chains.

Bessent did not outline a direct U.S. response to the measures but said he looked forward to “a productive summit” between Trump and Xi.Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said He Lifeng had “candid, in-depth and constructive exchanges” with Bessent and Greer and that Beijing had raised “serious concerns” over recent U.S. trade-restrictive measures targeting China.

According to CCTV, both sides agreed to enhance consensus, manage differences and strengthen cooperation, signaling that preparations for the summit remain on track despite persistent tensions.The officials last met in person in Paris in March, where they discussed possible Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural goods and the creation of new joint mechanisms to manage trade and investment disputes.

Chinese officials also used those talks to object to new tariff investigations launched by Trump’s administration after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his earlier global tariff framework in February.Trump had delayed his Beijing trip because of the U.S.-Israeli war involving Iran, but officials on both sides now appear focused on preserving stability ahead of the summit.

In a separate diplomatic exchange on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Taiwan remained the “biggest point of risk” in bilateral ties, underscoring broader geopolitical tensions beyond trade.

The two countries reached a fragile trade truce last October during talks in Busan, South Korea, after months of retaliatory tariffs triggered by Trump’s “Liberation Day” duties and China’s restrictions on exports of rare earths and other critical minerals.

As the summit approaches, U.S. lawmakers and industry groups are also pressing the administration not to grant China greater access to the American automotive sector.Ten U.S. steel industry groups wrote to Bessent, Greer, Rubio and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday, warning against allowing Chinese investment into the U.S. auto market.

The groups said such access could weaken domestic manufacturing competitiveness and create national security risks linked to data collection and strategic industrial dependence.At the same time, both governments have continued to build leverage ahead of the leaders’ meeting, with China advancing its new supply chain rules and Washington tightening restrictions on tool shipments to one of China’s major semiconductor manufacturers.

Chinese state media said both sides had expressed willingness to promote the “healthy, stable and sustainable development” of bilateral economic and trade relations.

Wong said the meetings were aimed at strengthening coordination with key regional partners as instability linked to the Iran conflict affects international energy supplies and shipping routes.

In Tokyo, Wong is scheduled to meet Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi for discussions on fuel security, regional stability and the Middle East conflict.

In Beijing, she will hold the eighth Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, describing the talks as an opportunity to advance shared interests while managing strategic differences between Canberra and Beijing.

In Seoul, Wong will meet South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, noting that South Korea remains one of Australia’s most important suppliers of refined fuels.Australia imports the majority of its fuel requirements and has faced localized shortages since the Middle East conflict began in February, exposing vulnerabilities in supply chains and raising concerns over long-term energy resilience.

“These meetings will help ensure we are coordinating effectively,” Wong said in a statement, pointing to volatility in oil and gas markets caused by the conflict and disruptions to major shipping corridors.

The diplomatic push reflects Canberra’s effort to secure stable energy flows while balancing strategic relations across Asia, particularly with China, its largest trading partner, and close security partners Japan and South Korea.

Energy security has become a growing concern for Australia as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and broader regional instability continue to affect fuel prices and shipping reliability across the Indo-Pacific.

The visit also comes as Australia seeks to strengthen regional cooperation on both economic security and broader geopolitical challenges linked to the Middle East war.

Wang, on a two-day visit to North Korea, said Beijing and Pyongyang should enhance communication “in the face of a turbulent and complex international situation,” according to a statement from China’s foreign ministry.

The visit marks a renewed push to strengthen bilateral relations following a period of limited exchanges during the COVID-19 pandemic, and comes as North Korea has also expanded engagement with Russia.

North Korean state media said Kim emphasized the importance of intensifying exchanges at multiple levels, describing closer ties as essential for safeguarding shared interests.

The report confirmed the meeting and highlighted mutual commitments to expand cooperation.Wang also held talks with his North Korean counterpart, pledging to build on what he described as positive momentum in relations and to advance practical cooperation between the two countries.

The diplomatic engagement comes ahead of a planned visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to China next month.

Trump has previously indicated interest in resuming dialogue with Kim, raising the prospect of renewed diplomatic activity on the Korean Peninsula.

Wang, on a two-day visit to the diplomatically isolated state his first since 2019 said the two countries should enhance communication on major international and regional issues while safeguarding their respective sovereignty and security interests, according to Chinese state media.

“China is willing to work with North Korea to maintain close communication and interaction, promote practical cooperation, and infuse new contemporary meaning into the traditional friendship,” Wang said, as reported by Xinhua.

The visit follows the resumption of transport links between the neighbors after pandemic-related disruptions, signaling a broader effort to restore economic and diplomatic engagement. China remains North Korea’s largest trading partner and a crucial source of economic and political support.

Wang’s trip comes amid renewed efforts by Donald Trump’s administration to revive high-level talks with Pyongyang, with discussions potentially leading to a summit later this year, including during a possible Trump visit to Beijing in May.

The meeting underscores Beijing’s continued role in shaping regional dynamics on the Korean Peninsula at a time of heightened diplomatic activity involving major powers.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular news briefing that China is willing to work with North Korea to enhance exchanges and advance what she described as “traditional friendly and cooperative relations” between the two neighbors.

The visit comes as Beijing signals continued engagement with Pyongyang amid a complex regional security environment, where diplomatic alignments remain under close scrutiny.

Mao did not provide further details on the itinerary or specific agenda of Wang’s visit, but reiterated China’s commitment to maintaining stable and constructive ties with North Korea.

China has historically been North Korea’s closest ally and largest trading partner, playing a key role in diplomatic efforts on the Korean Peninsula.

The latest visit reflects ongoing efforts by Beijing to sustain high-level dialogue and reinforce its influence in the region.

Wang Yi has led a flurry of outreach, holding discussions with counterparts across the Middle East and Europe while advocating a ceasefire and reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Beijing has also opposed a United Nations proposal backed by Bahrain that could authorize force to ensure maritime transit through the strait.

Analysts say the diplomatic push reflects China’s broader ambition to project itself as a responsible global power. Sun Yun of the Stimson Center said the conflict presents an opportunity for Beijing to demonstrate leadership, while former U.S. diplomat Danny Russel described the initiative as largely symbolic, comparing it to China’s earlier proposals on Ukraine that lacked implementation.

“It’s messaging, not mediation,” Russel said, arguing that China is seeking to contrast its approach with Washington’s.The administration of Donald Trump has shown limited enthusiasm for third-party mediation, with U.S. officials indicating reluctance to elevate China’s diplomatic role in the Middle East.

One official described Washington’s stance on the China-Pakistan proposal as “agnostic,” though the position could shift ahead of a planned summit between Trump and Xi Jinping expected in mid-May.Beijing has an economic incentive to contain the conflict, particularly disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global energy flows.

While China has reduced its reliance on Iranian oil to about 13 percent of imports and maintains strategic reserves, analysts warn that prolonged instability could raise input costs and weaken global demand for Chinese exports.

China has also worked to secure safe passage for its vessels through the strait, even as tensions have driven up energy prices worldwide. At the same time, Beijing’s position aligns with Moscow’s opposition to measures that could expand the conflict, with both countries wary of endorsing force through the United Nations Security Council.

Diplomatic activity has intensified in recent days, with Wang engaging officials from countries including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel, France and the United Arab Emirates. He has also sought backing from European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and regional leaders for China’s ceasefire proposal.

China’s embassy in Washington said Beijing has been working “tirelessly for peace,” while analysts note that its approach emphasizes calls for de-escalation, respect for international law and a greater role for the United Nations.

However, U.S. officials say the proposal lacks operational detail, describing it as a broad appeal rather than a concrete roadmap for ending the conflict. The muted response from Washington underscores broader strategic competition between the two powers, limiting the prospects for coordinated diplomacy.

Meanwhile, efforts at the United Nations continue, with Bahrain revising its proposal to authorize defensive measures to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with a vote expected in the coming days.