China says engaged with parties in Middle East, stresses ‘war’ no solution

- Beijing will send Zhai Jun, China's special envoy to Middle East, soon to the region to actively engage with regional actors and work toward de-escalating tensions, says Foreign Ministry spokesperson

ISTANBUL

China on Thursday said it has engaged with multiple parties in the Middle East and stressed that war is not a solution to resolving disputes.

China is “gravely concerned” about the tense situation in the region, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing.

She said Foreign Minister Wang Yi had held phone calls with his counterparts from Russia, Iran, Oman, France, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to exchange views on the evolving regional situation.

Wang emphasized that military operations must stop at once and that parties should return to dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible, Mao said.

She added that the prolonged escalation of the conflict serves no one’s interests.

“China believes that war and force cannot solve issues once and for all. Dialogue and negotiation are the right solutions, and political and diplomatic settlement of disputes and differences should be upheld,” Mao said.

She noted that Beijing will send Zhai Jun, China's special envoy to the Middle East, soon to the region to actively engage with regional actors and work toward de-escalating tensions.

Israel and the US have continued a large-scale offensive on Iran since Saturday, killing at least 926 people, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and top military officials.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Gulf countries that are home to US military assets.