On March 5, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning hosted a regular press conference. A reporter asked: The United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran, and regional tensions continued to escalate. May I ask what efforts China has taken to mediate and cool down the situation, and what work will be carried out in the next stage?

Mao Ning said that China is deeply concerned about the current tense situation in the Middle East. Recently, China has intensively carried out mediation work. Foreign Minister Wang Yi had separate phone calls with his foreign ministers from Russia, Iran, Oman, France, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, and exchanged in-depth views on the regional situation. He emphasized that the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter should be abided by, and opposed the willful use of force in international relations. He pointed out that military operations must immediately stop and return to dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible to avoid further escalation of tensions and further spillover of war. He called on parties to the conflict to earnestly fulfill their international obligations, ensure the safety of civilians, and avoid attacking civilian facilities.

Delaying the war and escalating the conflict are not in the interests of either party. China believes that war and force cannot fundamentally solve the problem, and dialogue and negotiation are the correct path to solve the problem. We should persist in resolving conflicts and differences through political and diplomatic means. China will continue to maintain communication, strengthen mediation, and build consensus with all relevant parties, including parties to the conflict. China will send Zhai Jun, the Chinese government’s special envoy for the Middle East issue, to visit the Middle East in the near future to make active efforts to reduce tensions.

(CCTV reporter Shen Yang)