China’s involvement in a Middle East peace proposal alongside Pakistan points to Beijing’s growing geopolitical ambition — as well as limits of that ambition, analysts said.

The countries’ five-point plan calls for a ceasefire and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Though China can bear the brunt of the short-term supply disruptions sparked by the Iran war, its huge fossil fuel imports leave it vulnerable, and in favor of a quick resolution, Trivium analysts noted, while Tehran has repeatedly indicated it wants Beijing involved in ceasefire talks. But “Beijing is unlikely to offer security guarantees or shoulder the burden of implementation,” and its ties to Tehran “may give it leverage, but they also invite suspicion,” a Bloomberg columnist said.