The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on January 20 that it has been invited to join the "Peace Board" currently being organized by U.S. President Donald Trump. Reuters reports that Washington has extended invitations to dozens of nations to advance this global initiative aimed at resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict. However, the Chinese government, which recently reached a trade truce with Washington, has not yet explicitly stated whether it will accept the invitation.
The "Peace Board" represents a cornerstone of President Trump’s post-war vision for Gaza. He has issued invitations to a diverse array of nations to join this council, ranging from traditional allies like the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Saudi Arabia to unconventional partners such as Russia and Belarus. Despite the high-profile nature of the initiative, international governments have largely adopted a "wait-and-see" approach, with diplomats expressing concern that Trump's strategy could systematically undermine the authority of the United Nations.
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The Peace Board is designed to begin with the Gaza conflict before expanding its mandate to other international crises. Trump is slated to serve as the lifelong chairman, with a membership structure that mirrors a private equity venture. Member states are reportedly required to pay $100 million for a three-year term, while permanent membership can be "purchased" for $1 billion. During a regular press conference on January 20, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun (郭嘉坤) confirmed receipt of the invitation. However, he declined to answer questions regarding China's official stance on the initiative.
When questioned about Trump's aggressive measures in Venezuela and threats regarding the annexation of Greenland, Guo Jiakun maintained a cautious silence. He did, however, emphasize that the overall stability of China-U.S. relations over the past year serves the common interests of both nations and the international community. Guo stated that China is willing to work with the U.S. to promote steady development in bilateral ties while firmly safeguarding its own sovereignty, security, and developmental interests.
The Structural Architecture of the Peace Board
The Peace Board is the second phase of the "Gaza Peace Plan" brokered by Trump in October 2025, which facilitated a ceasefire and hostage exchange between Hamas and Israel. This new international transitional body is tasked with overseeing the reconstruction and governance of Gaza, focusing on capacity building, regional relations, and capital mobilization. The organization operates under a three-tiered governance hierarchy where power is strictly centralized:
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The Top Tier: The "Founding Executive Committee" holds ultimate decision-making and strategic authority. Trump serves as the chairman and retains absolute veto power.
The Middle Tier: Managed by the Office of the High Representative, led by former Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov, this tier oversees the transition from Hamas rule to a "Palestinian Technocratic Government" led by the former Palestinian Authority.
The Bottom Tier: The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), composed of the technocratic government, executes directives and manages daily administration.
The Founding Executive Committee is chaired by Trump and includes high-profile figures such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, billionaire Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Deputy National Security Advisor Robert Gabriel.
Ivanka Trump (left), daughter of U.S. President Donald Trump, and her husband Jared Kushner (right) attend an event. (Associated Press)
Critics, including Al Jazeera, have noted that the committee is composed almost exclusively of billionaires, real estate moguls, and pro-Israel hawks, while Palestinians have been entirely excluded from the core decision-making circle. Gaza-based political analyst Iyad al-Qarra described the plan not as a peace initiative, but as a "corporate acquisition" of Gaza. Al-Qarra argued that Trump views Gaza as a bankrupt firm requiring a new board of directors rather than a sovereign homeland, effectively turning strategic governance into a commercial venture.
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U.S. President Donald Trump with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. (Associated Press)
A Permanent Chairmanship
The operational logic of the Peace Board diverges sharply from that of the United Nations, functioning more like a private corporation under Trump's absolute control. The bylaws stipulate that while member states hold one vote each and decisions are theoretically made by majority, all actions require the chairman's approval. Furthermore, the chairman possesses the authority to designate a successor and can expel member states unless overridden by a two-thirds majority.
The White House has countered reports by Bloomberg regarding mandatory "pay-to-play" fees, labeling them "misleading." In a statement on X, the White House clarified that there are no minimum contribution requirements for joining the council, asserting that permanent membership is reserved for partners who demonstrate a high level of commitment to peace, security, and prosperity.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office on January 14, 2026. (Associated Press)
A Global Medley of Invitees
According toThe New York Times, the invitations sent out on January 16 represent a "hodgepodge of autocrats and allies." The list includes staunch U.S. partners like the UK and Saudi Arabia, alongside traditionally adversarial states like Russia and Belarus. Leaders from dozens of nations, including Vietnam, Argentina, Brazil, India, Turkey, and Israel, have reportedly been contacted.
Analysis of the organization's charter suggests that Trump intends for the Peace Board to intervene in various global conflicts beyond Gaza. This trajectory has led critics to argue that the administration is seeking to build a U.S.-led institution to rival the United Nations, an organization Trump has long accused of liberal bias and systemic waste.
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U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the 80th UN General Assembly in September 2025. (Associated Press)
Russia and China Under Consideration
Relations between Washington and Moscow have shown an unusual warmth within the context of the Peace Board initiative. The Kremlin confirmed on the 19th that Vladimir Putin has received an invitation. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow is "studying all details of the proposal" and looks forward to further discussions with Washington.
The Financial Times suggests that this invitation underscores Trump's desire to maintain a cordial relationship with Putin, even as the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year. For his part, Putin has remained notably silent regarding Trump's controversial foreign policy moves, such as the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and support for Iranian protesters. Furthermore, Peskov praised Trump's Greenland ambitions, suggesting that resolving the "Greenland issue" could place Trump in the annals of world history—a statement viewed as a significant diplomatic olive branch.
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with foreign heads of state. (Associated Press)
International Resilience and Backlash
Despite the broad invitation list, several key allies have expressed deep reservations. France and Canada have voiced concerns over an organization that appears designed to bypass the UN through a commercialized model. European nations, in particular, find the centralization of financial control under a single individual "unacceptable" and are currently reviewing the legal framework of the board to coordinate a potential boycott.
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Sources indicate that France does not intend to accept the invitation, with associates of President Emmanuel Macron noting that the board's charter oversteps the boundaries of Gaza reconstruction to meddle in broader geopolitical issues. The French Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to the UN as the bedrock of multilateralism, warning that Trump's new organization could undermine international law and the principle of sovereign equality.
French President Emmanuel Macron speaks at an event in New York. (Associated Press)
In contrast to France's firm rejection, Canada has adopted a strategy of engagement without financial commitment. Prime Minister Mark Carney has accepted the invitation to ensure a seat at the negotiating table, but government sources clarified to AFP that Canada will not pay for membership. Meanwhile, the most unexpected resistance has come from Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli Prime Minister's office stated that the announcements regarding the Gaza Executive Committee were not coordinated with Israel and contradict existing Israeli policy.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the Knesset. (Associated Press)
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