BEIJING: The US-Israeli military strikes against Iran have entered 12th day with mounting civilian casualties, global oil prices lingering at high level and deepening risks of a full blown regional conflicts. As the conflict drags on with the potential turning into an “endless war,” the US administration is also facing more domestic differing voices, meanwhile, US President Donald Trump again signaled that the war with Iran will end “soon.”
Against this backdrop, China has stepped up shuttle diplomacy to push for an immediate ceasefire and a political settlement.
According to releases from the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday held phone conversations with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
In the conversations, Wang expressed China’s stance as call for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East and efforts toward a political solution. The key to preventing further escalation lies in the US and Israel halting their military operations, and that China does not approve of attacks on Gulf countries and condemns all attacks on civil facilities and innocent civilians, according to Wang.
These latest phone calls follow two separate conversations Wang held on Monday with Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
Parallel diplomatic efforts are underway on the ground. Zhai Jun, special envoy of the Chinese government on the Middle East issue, on Tuesday met with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy prime minister and foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), after his Monday meeting with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Saudi Arabia.
At a regular press conference on Wednesday, in response to media inquiries about China’s position and efforts to promote de-escalation, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and sincere friend of Middle Eastern countries, China will stay committed to urging peace and defending justice and fairness. China will continue to strengthen communication with relevant parties, including parties to the conflict, and play a constructive role for de-escalation and restoration of peace. Zhu Yongbiao, a Middle East affairs expert with Lanzhou University, said that China’s shuttle diplomacy in the Middle East is broad in scope and highly inclusive.
“China enjoys a solid foundation of trust with the relevant Middle Eastern countries. In addition, China has consistently adhered to promoting peace talks and reconciliation in regional and international issues, earning it high credibility,” Zhu said.
Liu Zhongmin, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, said that China’s distinctive position of having friendly relations with both Iran and Arab countries alike. “Therefore China is well placed to play a crucial role in helping to ease tensions and contradictions with various parties,” Liu said. –The Daily Mail-Global Times news exchange item
