China’s foreign minister Wang Yi said today that the origins of the Middle East conflict “lack both legitimacy and legality” and that “its continuation will only result in more unnecessary casualties.”
During a phone call with his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Wang indicated that the “fundamental requirement to prevent the situation from deteriorating further is for the United States and Israel to put an end to their military operations,” according to a statement published by China’s foreign ministry.
The Chinese diplomat assured that China “does not approve of attacks against Gulf states” and “condemns all acts directed against civilian facilities and innocent civilians.”
Wang also addressed the clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, saying that “the immediate priority is to prevent the conflict from escalating further and to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible,” amid military escalation along the so-called Durand Line — the de facto border separating the two countries that has historically been a source of tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.
“China firmly supports Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts and hopes it will continue to make every effort to ensure the safety and protection of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions” on Pakistani territory, the Chinese minister added.
Ishaq Dar “expressed gratitude for the mediation efforts” of the Asian country, according to the statement.
China — Tehran’s main trading partner and the largest buyer of Iranian oil — has repeatedly condemned the US and Israeli strikes on Iran for “violating the sovereignty” of the Persian country. In recent days, Wang has reiterated that this is a conflict “that should never have started.”
Read more: Iran War: China says “war and chaos in the region benefit no one”
China’s special Middle East envoy Zhai Jun is in the region conducting “active mediation,” maintaining contacts with the parties involved to promote a return to negotiations, the Chinese foreign ministry recently announced. Chinese authorities have also called in recent days for “maintaining the security of maritime routes,” given that 45% of China’s oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
