MIDDLE EAST MONITORING DESK ISLAMABAD
China has accelerated diplomatic efforts to restore peace in the Middle East and Special Envoy Zhai Jun of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue has visited the region while Foreign Minister Wang Yi has made telephone calls to the counterparts of Kuwait and Bahrain.
Zhai Jun met with Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi in Riyadh.
Zhai Jun said that the Chinese side will further play a constructive role and work with the GCC and Gulf countries to actively promote peace, end the fighting and de-escalate tensions.
Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said that the escalation of tensions in the Gulf region poses a serious threat to global security and stability, and serves no party’s interests. The GCC highly appreciates China’s active efforts to promote peace and end the fighting, and stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China to jointly promote the de-escalation of the situation.
Zhai Jun said that the current regional situation is highly complex and sensitive. The Chinese side urges all parties to immediately bring about a ceasefire and end the fighting and prevent further escalation of tensions, and to return to the track of negotiation at an early date.
China appreciates the emphasis of the Extraordinary Meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council on dialogue and diplomacy as the only way to overcome the current crisis and maintain regional stability. The Chinese side will further play a constructive role and work with the GCC and Gulf countries to actively promote peace, end the fighting and de-escalate tensions.
Special Envoy met with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said that the Middle East region is experiencing an unprecedented crisis, with the conflict spreading to Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, seriously threatening regional stability and undermining global energy supply and shipping security.
The Saudi side is fully aware of the danger of escalation and spillover of the conflict and has exercised maximum restraint. The Saudi side appreciates China’s consistent upholding of fairness and justice, and expresses the hope that China will continue to play a positive role in bringing about a ceasefire and ending the fighting, so as to prevent further deterioration of the regional situation.
Zhai Jun said that China is deeply concerned about the current tensions in the region. The Chinese side always believes that the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms of international relations must be upheld. The sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Gulf countries are inviolable, and any attacks on innocent civilians and non-military targets should be condemned. Promoting peace and ending the fighting is the fundamental way out of the current predicament.
China urges all parties to immediately cease military actions, prevent further escalation of tensions, and avoid causing greater harm to the people of regional countries. As a major country upholding fairness and justice and a good friend and good partner of Saudi Arabia, China will continue to play a constructive role and stands ready to work with the Saudi side to actively engage with all parties and make unremitting efforts to safeguard peace and stability in the Gulf region.
FM Wang Yi had a phone call with Kuwaiti FM Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
Wang Yi stated that the #US and #Israel launched military strikes against #Iran without authorization from the #UN, and even during the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the U.S. It constitutes a clear violation of international law.
Meanwhile, the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of Gulf countries must be fully respected, and any attack on civilians and non-military targets should be condemned.
FM Wang Yi had a phone call with Bahraini FM Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.
Wang Yi reiterated that the top priority is to immediately cease military operations to prevent the further spread of conflicts. The path to a breakthrough lies in returning to dialogue and negotiation as soon as possible, so as to strive to restore peace.
China has been actively promoting peace and stopping wars. The Chinese government’s special envoy on the Middle East issue is currently shuttling through the region for visits.
