China urges ceasefire and vows to continue working for peace, justice in Middle East

China will continue to strengthen communication with all relevant parties on the Iran issue, including those directly involved in the conflict, and play a constructive role in easing tensions and restoring peace, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a regular press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China is deeply concerned about the continued escalation of tensions in the Middle East and called on all parties to immediately halt military operations and return to dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

From the first day of the conflict, China has clearly called for a ceasefire and a return to dialogue and negotiations and has consistently advocated a political solution, Guo said.

He said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has carried out intensive diplomatic engagements in recent days, holding phone conversations with the foreign ministers of Kuwait, Bahrain, Pakistan and Qatar to exchange views on the Iran situation and help de-escalate tensions.

China is actively promoting peace talks through diplomatic mediation, Guo said, adding that the Chinese government's special envoy on the Middle East issue is currently conducting shuttle diplomacy in the region.

As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a sincere friend of countries in the Middle East, China will not stop working for peace and will continue to uphold fairness and justice, Guo said. "China will continue to strengthen communication with all relevant parties and play a constructive role in easing tensions and restoring peace."

In response to a separate question about reports that the U.S. was moving parts of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system from the Republic of Korea (ROK) to the Middle East, Guo said China has taken note of the reports.

He reiterated that China's position of opposing the deployment of the THAAD system in the ROK remains unchanged.