The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared this Wednesday (6) its support for urgent efforts to end the conflict, resume negotiations and restore peace and security in the Middle East.
The statement came after the foreign ministers of China and Iran met in Beijing on Wednesday.
During the daily press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said: “China believes that an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire is urgently needed and that a resumption of hostilities must be avoided.”
Beijing also reiterated its commitment to “reduce tensions and hostilities” with a view to playing a greater role in “restoring peace and stability in the Middle East region.”
Araqchi’s visit, announced by state news agency Xinhua, is his first trip to China since the US-Israeli war on Iran triggered the most severe global oil supply shock in history and compromised the energy security of China, the world’s biggest importer of crude oil.
Earlier this week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged China to step up its diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.
Bessent said the president would exchange views on Iran in person during their May 14 and 15 talks in Beijing. But he emphasized that both will seek to maintain stable relations between the US and China after the October trade truce.
The US Treasury Secretary urged China to “join us in this international operation” to , but did not specify what actions Beijing should take.
He added that they should stop blocking initiatives at the United Nations, including a resolution encouraging measures to protect commercial shipping in the strait.
