China blasts ‘illegitimate’ war on Iran as it hosts FM Araghchi

China has hosted Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for talks in Beijing, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi calling the US-Israeli war on Tehran “illegitimate” and urging a complete ceasefire.

Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat, met Araghchi in Beijing on Wednesday, emphasizing the need to establish a full ceasefire in the West Asia region.

“We are prepared to continue efforts to reduce the intensity of tensions. A complete ceasefire is necessary and unavoidable,” Wang said.

He criticized the military aggressions of the United States and Israel against Iran, adding that “the region is passing through a decisive turning point and direct meetings between the parties are essential.”

Araghchi thanked China for its firm stance, particularly its condemnation of Washington and Tel Aviv, describing Beijing as a sincere friend to Tehran. He underscored that cooperation between the two countries will strengthen under current circumstances.

Araghchi described the ongoing war against Iran as an "open aggression and a gross violation of international law."

Referring to the diplomatic path forward, he asserted that Tehran would use all its strength in negotiations to protect its legitimate rights and interests, stating that Iran will not be satisfied with anything less than a "fair and comprehensive agreement."

The Iranian minister arrived in Beijing on Wednesday morning leading a diplomatic delegation and was received by Chinese officials and Iran’s ambassador to China, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli.

The visit follows at least three phone calls between Wang and Araghchi since the outbreak of the terrorist war against Iran on February 28. Their last call was on April 15, during which Araghchi commended China and Russia’s responsible stance in opposing a US Security Council resolution and said it had helped prevent escalation.

Wang praised the Iranian people’s resilience during the recent war and reiterated Beijing’s readiness to support diplomacy and end the war.

Analysts note that the visit, occurring just days before US President Donald Trump’s scheduled summit in Beijing, is strategically timed.

“Tehran and Beijing are aligning their interests before Trump’s summit with Xi Jinping,” said Amir Handjani, a board member at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.

The US and China have been trading blows ahead of the summit. In an unprecedented act of defiance, China last week pushed back against Washington’s sanctions on Chinese refiners buying Iranian crude, invoking a “blocking rule” for the first time, directing companies not to comply with US sanctions.

Last month, China joined Russia to veto a US-backed resolution at the UN Security Council targeting Iran.

On Tuesday, the United States introduced a new resolution after its attempt to open the Strait of Hormuz to US and allied vessels failed. Closed talks on the draft, backed by Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar, could lead to sanctions or even authorize force if Iran does not comply.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the resolution a test of the UN’s utility and urged China and Russia not to repeat vetoes.

Analysts say the war poses a risk to US-China diplomatic plans. “Even if Trump believes the Chinese are providing diplomatic cover while keeping Iran economically afloat, he is at a disadvantage,” said Danny Russel, a fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute.

“He needs Beijing to restrain Tehran, not empower it.”

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