“The Islamic Republic of Iran advocates an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and supports China’s positive efforts to promote a ceasefire, restore peace in the region and strengthen cooperation among regional countries.”
03:47
World leaders call for de-escalation after Iran launches air attack on Israel
World leaders call for de-escalation after Iran launches air attack on Israel
Noting Iran’s statements that its attack was “limited” and “an act of self-defence”, Wang said China appreciated Iran’s emphasis on “not targeting regional and neighbouring countries, as well as its reiteration of continuously pursuing a good-neighbourly and friendly policy”.
“It is believed that Iran can handle the situation well and spare the region further turmoil while safeguarding its sovereignty and dignity,” Wang said, according to the foreign ministry.
Wang also later called his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and pledged China would work with Saudi Arabia to avoid “further escalation of confrontation” in the Middle East.
He reiterated China’s support for Palestine, saying the key solution to the ongoing Gaza conflict was to “establish an independent Palestinian State and restore the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people”.
“The international community should take more active action to support Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations, promote the convening of a larger, more authoritative and more effective international peace conference, and form a timetable and road map for the implementation of the two-State solution,” Wang was quoted as saying.
Faisal said Saudi Arabia “fully trusts” China, adding that the two countries were “highly consistent” in their position on the current situation.
“[The] Saudi side is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to promote an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, start the implementation of the two-state solution, and help achieve stability in the Middle East at an early date,” Faisal said.
Wang’s phone calls on Monday were China’s first ministerial engagement with Iran and Saudi Arabia since Tehran conducted the series of air attacks on Israel that it said was retaliation for the April 1 assault on the Iranian embassy in Syria.
Zhai told Ben-Abba, “all parties concerned should exercise maximum calm and restraint”, adding that China was “deeply concerned” about the current escalation of tension.
“We were hoping for stronger condemnation and clear acknowledgement of Israel’s right to defend itself … Unfortunately, we did not see that, which is why we were unhappy with the statement [from the Chinese foreign ministry],” Waks said.
03:26
Humanitarian aid workers delivering food killed in Gaza in ‘unintentional’ air strike
Humanitarian aid workers delivering food killed in Gaza in ‘unintentional’ air strike
He also urged Beijing to tell Hamas the hostages still being held after the October 7 attack “should be set free right now”.
China has sought to become a special player in the region and connected with Saudi Arabia and Iran while brokering a peace deal between them last year.