China's leader Xi Jinping met with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing on Monday, as diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war continue.
Sharif is accompanied by army chief Asim Munir, Islamabad's key negotiator between the US and Iran.
Pakistan has emerged as a central mediator between the US and Iran, hosting historic face-to-face talks last month that failed to yield a lasting agreement.
China has played a quieter role, shepherding phone calls and meetings with officials of affected Gulf countries.
Sharif thanked China for its support in promoting peace, saying "things are moving in the right direction".
