BEIJING: China called on Friday for a lasting truce in the Middle East, and for shipping lanes to be reopened “as soon as possible”, as the strategic Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed.
“A comprehensive and lasting ceasefire should be reached as soon as possible to facilitate the early restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East and the Gulf region,” Beijing’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
“Shipping lanes should be reopened as soon as possible in response to the calls of the international community,” it added in a response to a question on whether US and Chinese presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping discussed the Iran war during their summit in Beijing.
“China’s position on the Iran situation is very clear. The conflict has inflicted severe losses on the people in Iran and other regional countries,” China’s foreign ministry said.
The ministry warned that the expanding spillover effects of the conflict were placing heavy pressure on global economic growth, supply chains, international trade and energy security, harming the shared interests of the international community.
“There is no point in continuing this conflict, which should not have happened in the first place,” the statement said, adding that an early resolution was in the interests of not only the United States and Iran, but also regional countries and the wider world.
China welcomed the recent ceasefire between the United States and Iran, as well as efforts to address disputes through negotiations.
“China always believes that dialogue and negotiation is the right way forward, and the use of force is a dead end,” the ministry said.
“Now that the door of dialogue has been opened, it should not be shut again.”
Beijing urged all parties to maintain momentum toward de-escalation, continue political dialogue and pursue a negotiated settlement on the Iranian nuclear issue and other disputes while accommodating the concerns of all sides.
The ministry said China had been actively working for peace since the conflict began, noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping had put forward four proposals aimed at safeguarding peace and stability in the Middle East.
It also highlighted a five-point peace initiative jointly issued by China and Pakistan aimed at restoring stability in the Gulf and Middle East region.
China said it would continue working with the international community to support peace negotiations and play a constructive role in achieving lasting peace in the Middle East.
