China warned that the expansion of conflict in the Middle East will lead to a “vicious cycle,” following US President Donald Trump’s ultimatum on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
In a regular press briefing on Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Lin Jian, called on parties to stop military action and return to dialogue.
“The conflict in the Middle East is still spreading and spilling over. If the conflict continues to expand and the situation once again escalates, the whole region will be plunged into chaos,” he noted.
Trump has given Iran a 48-hour deadline to lift the blockade on the vital waterway or the US will “hit and obliterate” Iran’s power plants.
“Force will only lead to a vicious circle,” Lin warned. “China strongly calls on parties to the conflict to immediately stop military operations, return to dialogue and negotiation, and not continue the war that should not have happened,” he added.
China’s Special Envoy on the Middle East Issue, Zhai Jun, made a Middle Eastern trip in a diplomatic mediation effort aimed at bringing the conflict to an end.
During his trip, the Chinese Envoy met with the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Egypt, as well as the Secretaries General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the League of Arab States. He also had a phone conversation with Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar.
“The one who tied the bell must be the one to untie it,” Zhai said in a briefing after the visit, according to Reuters.
He added that China will maintain close communication with all parties concerned and make intensive efforts to de-escalate the situation and promote regional peace and stability.
