China confirms US invitation to Trump's peace council

Tuesday 20 January 2026 - 11:20

By: Dakir Madiha

China confirms US invitation to Trump's peace council

China confirmed Tuesday it received a U.S. invitation to join President Donald Trump's Peace Council, an international body initially designed to oversee Gaza reconstruction but now poised for a broader mandate in resolving global conflicts. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun acknowledged the invitation during a regular briefing in Beijing, stating simply that China had received it from the U.S. side. Pressed on whether Beijing would accept, Guo offered no details, telling reporters he had no further information to add.

China joins a growing list of nations invited to the council, with the Trump administration contacting about 60 countries across Arab, Asian, and Western blocs. The outreach comes after a fragile U.S.-China trade truce, though global reactions remain mixed. Early acceptances include presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus as founding members. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Vietnamese Communist Party chief To Lam also confirmed participation. European allies reacted cautiously, with French President Emmanuel Macron declining and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying he would consult allies.

The Peace Council launched last week under Trump's 20-point Gaza plan, approved by UN Security Council Resolution 2803 in November 2025. The proposed charter grants Trump lifetime presidency and veto power over decisions. Countries contributing $1 billion secure permanent seats, while others can join for three-year terms without fees. Critics worry it undermines the UN, especially as the leaked charter reveals ambitions extending beyond Gaza to worldwide conflicts. Israel opposes the executive council's makeup, which subordinates it to Qatar and Turkey officials.

Trump plans an official signing ceremony to form the council at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, later this week. China's cautious response highlights the complex diplomatic calculations nations face in weighing participation in a U.S.-led framework that could reshape international peacekeeping.