China urges dialogue, lasting ceasefire in Iran crisis

BEIJING: China on Friday reiterated its call for dialogue and political settlement in the Iran crisis, saying the ongoing conflict should never have occurred and warning that continued instability was damaging regional and global interests.

Responding to a media query about whether Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump discussed Iran during their Beijing summit, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Beijing’s position on the conflict remained “very clear”.

The spokesperson stressed that finding an early resolution to the crisis was in the interests of not only Iran and the United States, but also the wider Middle East and the international community.

According to the statement, the conflict had caused severe suffering in Iran and neighbouring countries while also disrupting global economic growth, supply chains, international trade and energy stability.

China welcomed the recent ceasefire efforts and ongoing diplomatic engagement aimed at resolving the crisis through negotiations, with the spokesperson saying Beijing consistently believed that “dialogue and negotiation is the right way forward, and the use of force is a dead end”.

“Now that the door of dialogue has been opened, it should not be shut again,” the spokesperson added.

Beijing also called for the reopening of shipping routes and the restoration of stable maritime trade, amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and wider Gulf region that have affected international energy supplies and commercial shipping.

The spokesperson underlined the importance of achieving a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire as soon as possible to restore peace and stability across the Middle East and Gulf region.

China further said it had actively worked for peace since the conflict began, highlighting President Xi’s “four propositions” on promoting peace and stability in the Middle East as well as a joint five-point initiative issued by China and Pakistan aimed at restoring regional stability.

Beijing pledged to continue coordinating with the international community to support peace talks and contribute constructively toward a lasting settlement in the region.