The US-Iran situation has seen a flicker of hope recently, with the two sides reaching a 14-day temporary standoff agreement. However, expanded strikes in Lebanon and renewed threats in the Strait of Hormuz are severely straining this fragile diplomatic opening. Niu Xinchun, Executive Director of the China-Arab Research Institute at Ningxia University, told CGTN reporter Feng Yilei that amidst the friction, China continues its push for a ceasefire, positioning itself as a non-aligned defender of international law.