Calling for a diplomatic solution to the conflict between Iran and the United States, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said military pressure would not produce results and that progress depended on dialogue and negotiations.
Wang discussed developments in the Middle East and the Gulf during a meeting in Beijing with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Wang noted that the tensions were seriously affecting regional security and continued to disrupt the stability of energy flows, maritime transport and supply chains.
China calls for respect for sovereignty and security
Wang said the sovereignty and security of all countries in the region must be fully respected. Calling for the parties’ legitimate concerns to be addressed appropriately, Wang urged the preservation of international law and the fundamental principles governing relations between states.
Wang said China was ready to increase communication and coordination with Qatar and other countries in the region, adding that Beijing would support countries in making decisions about their own future and destiny. Wang said they aimed to restore regional peace and stability as soon as possible and announced that they wanted to establish a new, fair and equitable regional security architecture.
Dispute in the Strait of Hormuz affected negotiations
The statements came as the United States and Iran were carrying out mutual military strikes and negotiations between the two countries had stalled over a dispute regarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz, which is strategically important for global energy and commodity transport, was at the center of the disagreement.
The statement also described the conflict as a war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28. According to Tehran, more than 3,000 people were killed in the attacks, while Iran responded with strikes targeting US assets in the region.
With Pakistan and Qatar acting as mediators, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum in June on halting military operations and reopening the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic. However, implementation of the memorandum was later suspended because of disputes over mutual obligations and passage through the strait, and fighting resumed in July.
