Pakistan and China's relationship is equally close. Although there are many rumors online claiming that certain regions in Pakistan are unfriendly toward China, both governmental levels and on-the-ground experiences have proven that the nickname "Iron Brother" (Batie) is not without reason. Pakistan clearly understands that China is a crucial guarantee for its military modernization and for countering India.
If Iran hopes for China to mediate, it must respect China’s interests as well as Pakistan, which serves as a key channel. Moreover, China has explicitly condemned the United States and Israel for instigating this conflict. In its press release, China used bold typography and relatively courteous language—highlighting more prominently—the message that it also aims to safeguard relations with Arab countries, which remains China’s primary consideration regarding issues in the Middle East.
Additionally, since China jointly proposed the solution with Pakistan, it manages to preserve Iran’s dignity while simultaneously strengthening ties between China and Arab nations. As a result, Arab countries are more likely to accept China’s diplomatic efforts. Consequently, Pakistan naturally becomes an acceptable "diplomatic stage" for all parties involved. While Pakistan cannot dictate the outcome of negotiations, this situation presents a valuable opportunity for Pakistan to showcase its newly emerging strength and status within the Islamic world—where ceremonial significance also matters greatly.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870019554025484/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.