Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held separate calls today with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. The goal: coordinate joint efforts for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The United States was not part of these conversations.

Wang told Kallas that “a ceasefire is the key to safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz” and urged “all parties to build a broader consensus.” He told Wadephul that China and Germany, as “responsible major countries,” should take a constructive role in the process.

Europe’s response was telling. Kallas praised the five-point initiative presented by China and Pakistan to restore peace in the Gulf. She said the EU “does not seek to decouple from China” and considers it “an important partner.” All this while Washington pushes to escalate the war.

This isn’t an isolated event. In recent months, Macron, Starmer and German Chancellor Merz all visited Beijing. Wang Yi also called Saudi FM Prince Faisal today. China is positioning itself as mediator while the US bombs.