China urges respect for Middle East sovereignty, calls for political solutions to conflicts

UNITED NATIONS: A senior Chinese diplomat on Thursday called on the international community to respect the sovereign choices of Middle Eastern nations and support regional efforts to resolve conflicts through dialogue and cooperation.

Speaking at a United Nations Security Council briefing on cooperation between the UN and the League of Arab States, China’s permanent representative to the UN, Fu Cong, stressed the need for political solutions to ongoing crises in the region.

Fu described the Middle East as the epicentre of global conflicts, marked by prolonged wars and widespread displacement, adding that history had repeatedly shown military force was not a viable solution.

“Political resolution is the only way forward,” he said, urging the international community to support Arab nations in conflict prevention, mediation and development efforts tailored to their national conditions.

He highlighted the role of Arab states in addressing regional challenges, citing their geographical, historical and cultural understanding of the region, and called for stronger coordination between UN bodies and Arab institutions to build a unified approach.

The Chinese envoy also urged the Security Council to respect the views of the Arab League and promote solutions led by regional stakeholders.

Addressing rising tensions, Fu warned that the ongoing conflicts involving the United States, Israel and Iran risked spreading further across the region. He said the international community must adopt an objective and impartial stance and prioritise an immediate ceasefire.

Calling the war “one that should never have happened,” he stressed the urgency of halting hostilities, preventing escalation and advancing peace talks to restore stability.

Fu also reiterated that the Palestinian issue remained central to the Middle East conflict, reaffirming China’s support for the two-state solution as the only viable path forward. He emphasised that any future arrangements must uphold the principle of Palestinian self-governance.

He added that China was committed to deepening cooperation with Arab states, including through the upcoming China-Arab States Summit, to enhance strategic trust, expand development opportunities and contribute to lasting peace in the region.