China makes first official move in Middle East conflict

China will send an emissary to the Middle East to try to mediate the conflict that has spread rapidly, Beijing's head of diplomacy, Wang Yi, announced on Wednesday, on the fifth day of the war triggered by US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran, reports AFP.
LIVE Middle East War Day 5: US Defense Secretary Announces What's Next: “Death and Destruction from the Sky. All Day” / White House: Operation Epic Fury a resounding success
Beijing “will send a special envoy for Middle East issues to countries in the region to promote mediation,” Wang said in a phone call with his Saudi counterpart Prince Fayçal ben Farhane, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement.
The name of the emissary and the countries he will visit have not been announced at the moment.
China is a close partner of Iran and supports Tehran in defending its sovereignty, while urging Israel and the United States to stop military operations, the Chinese Foreign Minister said.
Beijing “has always been a force for peace and is willing to continue to play a constructive role,” Wang Yi said.
“China urges all parties to (…) return to dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible and prevent further escalation of tensions,” he added.




