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.

Rubio, a longtime China hawk and former senator, had been sanctioned twice by Beijing over his criticism of China’s human rights policies, including measures linked to alleged forced labor involving the Uyghur minority and Beijing’s crackdown in Hong Kong.

The sanctions, imposed before Rubio joined the administration, reportedly included an entry ban under the original Chinese spelling of his name.Two diplomats familiar with the matter said Chinese authorities began using a different Chinese character for the “Lu” portion of Rubio’s surname shortly before he took office in January 2025, effectively sidestepping the technical implications of the earlier sanctions.

China’s embassy in Washington did not immediately comment on the reported change.A U.S. State Department official confirmed Rubio was traveling with Trump aboard Air Force One but declined to address questions regarding the sanctions issue.

Rubio’s visit marks his first trip to China and comes amid efforts by the Trump administration to stabilize ties with Beijing while simultaneously competing over trade, technology and regional security.

As a senator, Rubio was among the most outspoken congressional critics of China and played a central role in drafting legislation that imposed broad U.S. sanctions tied to alleged abuses against the predominantly Muslim Uyghur population in the Xinjiang region.

During his Senate confirmation hearing for secretary of state, Rubio described China as an unprecedented geopolitical challenge for the United States.Since taking office, however, Rubio has aligned more closely with Trump’s emphasis on maintaining economic engagement with China.

Trump has repeatedly characterized Chinese President Xi Jinping as a friend and prioritized efforts to deepen trade cooperation despite persistent tensions over Taiwan, security issues and human rights.

Rubio nevertheless reassured allies in Taiwan last year by stating that the administration would not negotiate the future of the self-governing island in exchange for trade concessions from Beijing.

The visit underscores the increasingly pragmatic tone adopted by both Washington and Beijing as the world’s two largest economies seek to manage strategic rivalry while preserving high-level diplomatic channels.

Trump told reporters at the White House that Taiwan policy would remain part of discussions with Xi despite Beijing’s longstanding opposition to U.S. military support for the island.

“President Xi would like us not to,” Trump said when asked about continued U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan. “That’s one of the many things I’ll be talking about.”
China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly condemned U.S. military assistance to the democratically governed island, while Taiwan rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.

The United States maintains a “one-China policy,” formally recognizing Beijing while remaining legally obligated under U.S. law to help Taiwan maintain defensive capabilities.

Tensions between Washington and Beijing intensified in December when the Trump administration approved an arms package for Taiwan valued at more than $11 billion, the largest such deal announced by the United States.

Trump administration officials have also recently urged Taiwan to increase defense spending as pressure from China continues to grow in the Taiwan Strait.

Despite heightened regional tensions, Trump said he did not believe military conflict over Taiwan would erupt during his presidency, citing his personal relationship with Xi.

In Taipei, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei said Taiwan would continue strengthening defense cooperation with Washington and building deterrence capabilities to preserve regional stability.

Trump also said he intended to raise the case of Lai, the founder of the now-closed Apple Daily newspaper and one of Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy figures.

Lai was sentenced in February to 20 years in prison on charges including conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious materials under Hong Kong’s national security framework.

“People would like him out, and I’d like to see him get out too,” Trump said, adding that he had previously discussed the matter with Chinese officials.
Lai’s imprisonment has drawn criticism from Western governments and international rights organizations, which argue that Beijing’s national security crackdown has sharply curtailed civil liberties and press freedom in Hong Kong.

Trump said he would also raise the detention of Jin Mingri, leader of the independent Zion Church, who was arrested after Chinese authorities tightened restrictions on unauthorized religious activity and online preaching.

The cases involve Dawn Michelle Hunt, a 54-year-old former flight attendant and artist from the Chicago area, and Nelson Wells Jr., a 52-year-old Louisiana native and father of three, whose families say were unknowingly used as “blind mules” to transport narcotics hidden in luggage provided by other individuals.

The appeal places the cases at the intersection of humanitarian diplomacy and increasingly strained U.S.-China relations, as Washington and Beijing remain divided over trade, Taiwan and Iran-related tensions. For Trump, who has frequently highlighted efforts to secure the return of detained Americans abroad, the release of the two prisoners could offer a rare diplomatic breakthrough during a summit expected to yield limited concrete agreements.

Family members said they are attempting to deliver letters directly to Trump ahead of the meeting. Tim Hunt, Dawn Michelle Hunt’s brother, described his sister as highly intelligent and said she had been lured to China through what he characterized as a fraudulent “prize” trip.

According to her family, she was later given purses and a suitcase containing concealed narcotics that she unknowingly agreed to carry on an outbound flight.Wells’ family said he was detained after agreeing to transport another traveler’s suitcase while returning from a trip to China.

The individual allegedly disappeared after airport authorities discovered drugs hidden inside the bag.“I enjoyed serving my country,” Nelson Wells Sr., a U.S. Army veteran, said in remarks released through the family. “Now I just want my country to serve me.”A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department⁠ said Washington is providing consular assistance to both Americans and advocating for their health and welfare, while declining to comment further because of privacy considerations.

China’s foreign ministry said the two Americans were serving sentences for serious drug offenses and that Chinese authorities were handling the cases in accordance with the law while protecting their legitimate rights and health conditions.Advocates involved in the cases said U.S. officials have formally requested humanitarian releases from Chinese authorities, citing worsening medical conditions.

According to family members and advisers, Hunt requires blood transfusions and has declined surgery because of concerns over prison medical care, while Wells suffers from seizures, diabetes and high blood pressure.Beijing-based lawyer James Zimmerman, who is advising the families, said Chinese officials had privately indicated a willingness to consider humanitarian parole if the matter received higher-level political attention from Washington.

The cases follow a prisoner exchange in 2024 in which China and the United States each released three citizens that both governments said had been wrongfully detained after years of diplomatic negotiations.Peter Humphrey, a former prisoner in China who now advises families of foreign detainees, said U.S. embassy officials had increased engagement with Chinese authorities regarding the cases in recent months.

John Kamm, whose San Francisco-based Dui Hua Foundation researches political prisoners in China, said both Americans should be granted humanitarian parole because of their medical conditions. The foundation estimates that around 200 Americans are currently held in detention facilities across China.

The families said public attention to the cases intensified after testimony delivered at a September 2024 hearing of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, where lawmakers examined the treatment of Americans imprisoned in China.Relatives are also backing legislation introduced by Representative Chris Smith that would expand support mechanisms for families of Americans detained overseas under disputed circumstances.

Tim Hunt said his father died in January before seeing his daughter released, while Wells’ family said his youngest daughter, now 12 and living in Japan, was only six months old when he was arrested.

Trump is scheduled to visit Beijing from Wednesday to Friday for high-level talks with Xi, where the issue of self-governed Taiwan is expected to feature prominently amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly refused to renounce the use of force to bring the island under its control. Beijing has increased military pressure on Taiwan in recent years through naval patrols, air incursions and large-scale military exercises around the island.Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said the government remained in close contact with Washington and was carefully monitoring preparations for the Trump-Xi meeting.

“We have also maintained continuous communication with the United States whether through public statements from the U.S. government or through non-public channels. We are confident in the stable development of Taiwan-U.S. relations,” Lin said.“The U.S. government has repeatedly expressed that its Taiwan policy will not change,” he added.

The United States maintains unofficial ties with Taiwan but is legally obligated under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide the island with defensive capabilities. Washington has long viewed peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait as central to Indo-Pacific security.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week that maintaining stability across the Taiwan Strait remained a priority for Washington.

At the same time, the United States has intensified pressure on allies and partners, including Taiwan, to increase military spending in response to growing geopolitical threats and expanding Chinese military capabilities.Taiwan’s opposition-controlled parliament last week approved a reduced special defense budget, falling short of the amount requested by the government.

A senior U.S. official said on Sunday that Washington was disappointed by the lower allocation, arguing the spending level did not fully match Taiwan’s security needs.Lin urged lawmakers to take corrective action to strengthen defense funding, saying deterrence depended on Taiwan’s ability to demonstrate credible self-defense capabilities.

“Peace depends on strength it requires demonstrating the defense capability for self-defense in order to deter aggression,” Lin said.He also accused China’s Communist leadership of accelerating military expansion and promoting authoritarian influence beyond its borders.

The Trump-Xi summit is expected to be closely watched by governments across Asia and the wider international community for indications of how the world’s two largest powers intend to manage growing strategic rivalry, particularly over Taiwan and regional security.

The sanctions target what U.S. officials described as a procurement network supporting Iran’s defense sector amid continuing regional tensions and stalled diplomatic efforts tied to the conflict involving Tehran and its regional allies.

The Treasury Department said the measures were aimed at entities and individuals allegedly involved in facilitating the acquisition of sensitive materials and technology for Iran’s military-industrial apparatus, including components linked to the production of Shahed unmanned aerial vehicles.

The action comes days before U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to travel to China for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, at a time when negotiations tied to the broader Iran conflict have shown little progress.

“Under Trump’s decisive leadership, we will continue to act to Keep America Safe and target foreign individuals and companies providing Iran’s military with weapons for use against U.S. forces,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.

The Treasury did not immediately disclose the full list of sanctioned parties in the initial announcement, but said several of the targeted entities operated from China and Hong Kong and were involved in supplying materials tied to Iran’s drone manufacturing capabilities.

Iran’s Shahed drones have become a central component of the country’s military strategy and have drawn international scrutiny over their deployment across regional conflicts. Western governments have repeatedly accused Tehran of expanding its drone production and export networks despite existing sanctions regimes.

The latest measures freeze any U.S.-based assets belonging to the designated parties and generally prohibit Americans from conducting business with them. Secondary sanctions risks may also apply to foreign financial institutions engaging with sanctioned entities.

Washington has steadily expanded sanctions targeting Iran’s defense procurement channels since the outbreak of heightened regional hostilities, focusing increasingly on overseas intermediaries and companies accused of supplying dual-use technology and industrial materials.

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.

Lam’s visit, his first overseas trip since assuming the presidency on April 7, is expected to deepen bilateral ties and produce multiple cooperation agreements, reflecting what both sides have described as a new phase of relations marked by stronger political trust and expanded security and economic collaboration.

The shift comes amid rising influence of security-focused leadership in Hanoi, with Lam, a former public security chief, consolidating power in a manner observers say mirrors China’s centralized governance structure.

His leadership marks a departure from Vietnam’s traditional model of collective decision-making.Analysts say Vietnam is pursuing a dual-track strategy, maintaining engagement with Western partners while increasingly adopting China-inspired policies domestically.

This includes a growing emphasis on state-led regulation, particularly in sensitive areas such as data governance and digital infrastructure.Draft policy documents indicate Vietnam is considering tighter controls over data flows, including the creation of state-run data exchanges overseen by security authorities, reflecting China’s centralized data management system.

Western governments and technology firms have raised concerns over such measures, particularly restrictions on cross-border data transfers.Technology cooperation has also intensified. Vietnam has eased earlier reservations over Chinese involvement in its telecommunications infrastructure, including potential partnerships linked to equipment providers associated with Huawei.

Discussions are also underway regarding Chinese investment in data centres and additional 5G development.The country is simultaneously expanding its national digital identification system, integrating artificial intelligence-driven surveillance networks, in a move analysts say parallels China’s approach to social monitoring and governance.

Economically, Vietnam is increasingly adopting state-driven strategies similar to China’s model, including subsidies, large-scale infrastructure projects and greater government intervention in financial markets. Proposals under consideration include a stabilization fund to support equity markets during downturns, drawing directly on Chinese precedent.

Despite these shifts, Vietnam continues to balance its geopolitical positioning, maintaining ties with the United States and other Western partners. However, China’s growing role in trade and investment is becoming more pronounced, with bilateral economic integration reaching record levels.

Experts warn that deeper alignment with China could have broader implications for Vietnam’s economic autonomy and international relationships, particularly if governance and regulatory convergence accelerates further.

Speaking at Tsinghua University, Sanchez said trade flows between China and the EU were “imbalanced” and called on Chinese authorities to open their markets to address a widening deficit. “We need China to open up so that Europe does not have to close itself off,” he said, adding that the deficit grew by 18 percent last year and posed risks over the medium to long term.

Sanchez’s visit, his fourth to China in four years, comes as Madrid seeks to position itself as a bridge between Beijing and the 27-member EU amid signs of strain in transatlantic relations. Recent tariff measures and policy shifts under Donald Trump have prompted several Western governments to pursue closer economic engagement with China.

Spain recorded a trade deficit of 42.3 billion euros ($49.1 billion) with China last year, with Sanchez noting that the shortfall accounts for 74 percent of the country’s overall trade deficit. Spain’s population of roughly 50 million contrasts with China’s more than 1.4 billion, underscoring the structural imbalance in bilateral trade.

The Spanish government is seeking improved access for agricultural and industrial exports and exploring opportunities for joint ventures in the technology sector. Officials also aim to attract Chinese investment into Spain and secure access to critical raw materials.

During the visit, Sanchez is scheduled to tour facilities linked to Xiaomi and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, before holding talks with senior Chinese leaders including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

The trip follows a period of diplomatic friction with Washington after Trump threatened to reduce trade ties with Spain, citing Madrid’s refusal to allow use of its military bases for U.S. strikes against Iran, a key Chinese economic partner.

Spain’s exports to China rose 6.8 percent in 2025, according to government data, reflecting strengthened bilateral engagement. During Sanchez’s previous visit in April 2025, Beijing agreed to expand market access for Spanish products including pork and cherries.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning described Spain as “an important partner of China within the EU,” signaling Beijing’s willingness to deepen bilateral cooperation.

Sanchez’s trip highlights Spain’s effort to chart an independent foreign policy within Europe, positioning China as a strategic partner rather than a geopolitical rival, in contrast with Washington’s stance.

Trump has previously criticized Madrid over its refusal to grant landing rights for U.S. forces during the Iran conflict and for what he described as insufficient defence spending among NATO allies.

The Spanish leader’s approach has drawn mixed reactions domestically, with supporters backing his economic engagement strategy while businesses and opposition figures warn that deteriorating relations with the United States could carry economic risks.

A government source said Sanchez’s meeting with Xi Jinping on Tuesday would focus on geopolitical issues, reflecting Madrid’s view of China as a stabilizing global actor. However, trade representatives cautioned that such positioning could exacerbate existing strains, particularly as U.S. tariffs on European Union imports continue to weigh on Spanish exports.

“The United States is the leading foreign investor in Spain,” said Ramon Gascon Alonso of Spain’s Exporters’ and Investors’ Club, pointing to the importance of bilateral trade in key sectors of the economy.

Opposition figures have also criticized Sanchez’s stance, warning that public disagreements with Washington could undermine NATO cohesion and jeopardize the U.S. military presence in Spain.

China’s ambassador to Spain, Yao Jing, said stable bilateral relations had contributed to increased Chinese investment, describing Spain as pragmatic in its approach to economic cooperation and market access.

Official data showed Chinese firms invested 643 million euros in Spain in 2025, up from 149 million a year earlier, bringing total investment between 2010 and 2025 to 9.7 billion euros, largely concentrated in extractive industries and the energy sector.

During the three-day visit, Sanchez is scheduled to attend a formal banquet hosted by Xi, meet Premier Li Qiang and senior legislator Zhao Leji, and engage with business and academic leaders, including a visit to Xiaomi and a speech at Tsinghua University.

Spain is seeking to narrow a trade deficit with China that has more than doubled over four years to nearly $50 billion in 2025, with efforts focused on boosting agricultural and manufacturing exports.

Officials are also aiming to finalize a regionalization agreement to protect poultry exports affected by bird flu, following a similar arrangement that supported the pork industry during a previous African swine fever outbreak.