China calls for 'complete' and immediate end to Middle East fighting
BEIJING: China's foreign minister, Wang Yi, on Wednesday urged an immediate end to hostilities in the Middle East and called on the United States and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz "as soon as possible" during talks with his Iranian counterpart in Beijing.
"China considers that a complete cessation of fighting must be achieved without delay, that it is even more unacceptable to restart hostilities, and that continuing to negotiate remains essential," Wang said, according to a statement from his ministry after talks with Abbas Araghchi.
Wang said China hoped the parties concerned would respond "as quickly as possible to the urgent call of the international community" for a normal and safe resumption of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
On the nuclear issue, he welcomed Iran's commitment not to develop nuclear weapons and said China recognised Iran's legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
China is directly affected by any blockage of the strait, with more than half of the crude it imports by sea coming from the Middle East and mainly transiting through the waterway, maritime analytics firm Kpler says.
Beijing has engaged quietly in efforts to resolve the crisis and its diplomacy is credited with playing an important role in the fragile ceasefire agreed between Washington and Tehran.
"China will work harder to ease tensions and end the fighting, continue to support the launch of peace talks, and play a greater role in restoring peace and tranquillity to the Middle East," Wang said.
By RSS/AFP
