China Announces Continued Cooperation with Russia on Ceasefire, Urges Swift Resolution in Middle East
Beijing: China has announced its readiness to continue cooperating with Russia at the United Nations Security Council and work toward improving the situation in the Middle East. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi conveyed this during a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.
Wang Yi emphasized that the fastest way to resolve issues related to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is through an immediate ceasefire. He added that China has always supported political solutions to global conflicts through dialogue and negotiations.
The conversation comes ahead of a UN Security Council vote next week on a Bahrain-led resolution concerning the protection of commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi highlighted that, as permanent members of the Security Council, China and Russia should adopt a balanced and neutral stance while seeking maximum support from the international community.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that both ministers discussed ways to achieve an immediate ceasefire and initiate political and diplomatic negotiations. The statement noted that both countries are aligned on global affairs, including the situation concerning Iran.
China has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the Middle East and the Gulf region and stressed the need to end ongoing tensions that have affected the strategic maritime passage of the Strait of Hormuz for over a month.
