BEIJING: China on Wednesday reiterated its call for restraint between Washington and Tehran following the recent escalation, saying it was “deeply concerned” about rising tensions.
“China is deeply concerned” over the latest situation, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Tuesday that American forces launched air strikes against Iranian military targets in response to the downing of a US Army Apache helicopter on Monday.
Later, Iran’s military headquarters said early Wednesday that attacks had been launched on some US bases in the region in response to American strikes on southern Iran.
However, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian called on the warring sides to “remain calm, exercise restraint, stop escalating tensions, and take concrete actions to ease tensions.”
Lin asked the US and Iran to use political and diplomatic means toward “early realisation of a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire.”
China on Tuesday said the use of military force by the US, Israel, and Iran has “proven” that it cannot solve any problem, stressing a diplomatic solution to disputes.
The US-Israeli conflict with Iran, “which has dragged on for over three months, has dealt a severe blow to nations in the Gulf region,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing.
Lin said: “Facts have proven military means cannot solve any problem and arbitrary use of force will only complicate the issues.”
“The Iran-US negotiations are at a crucial stage at the moment. No party should reignite military conflict,” said Lin, calling for respect for the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of Middle Eastern nations.
“China calls on relevant parties to remain calm, exercise restraint, stop any confrontational action that may escalate the conflict, take concrete action to cool down the situation, resolve disputes through political and diplomatic means, and work for an early comprehensive and lasting ceasefire,” he said.
