…Deescalating situation, restoring dialogue too

From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja

Following the ongoing crisis between the United States/the State of Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Mao Ning, has said that China is firmly in support of all efforts conducive to easing tensions, deescalating the situation and restoring dialogue.

Mao who stated this during a press conference in Beijing, also call on parties in the conflict to peace talks as soon as possible.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson was responding to a question from Anadolu Agency regarding Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, who spoke about the possibility of hosting talks between the United States and Iran to end the ongoing conflict in the Middle East after meeting with diplomats from Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia in Islamabad at the weekend.

Mao said: “China supports all efforts conducive to easing tensions, deescalating the situation and restoring dialogue. We call on parties to start peace talks as soon as possible. We commend Pakistan’s mediation effort for de-escalation and support Pakistan in continuing to play its role as mediator. We stand ready to enhance communication and coordination with Pakistan and others to jointly work for a ceasefire and peace and stability in the region.”

On the meeting held last week by the foreign ministers of G7 nations to discuss the situation in Iran and the Middle East region, calling for the immediate cessation of attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructures, Mao further said military means do not address the fundamental issue.

She also said to prolong or escalate the conflict would not serve any party’s interest, saying that China is opposed to attacks on civilians and civilian facilities.

“Once again, we call for an immediate end to military operations and start of peace talks as soon as possible to prevent even worse humanitarian disasters,” she stated.

Also speaking on United States President Donald Trump statement that Cuba was next after the military operation against Iran and that Cuba will fail soon, Mao said China stood for respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and is opposed to violation of other countries’ sovereignty or interfering in their internal affairs under any pretext.

“China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its sovereignty and security and opposes external interference,” Mao maintained.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson further responded to a question Trump’s claim that a deal with Iran on ending the Middle East conflict could be reached soon, while at the same time not ruling out ground operations, as well as more strikes, including ones targeting power stations.

She explained that the Chinese side has stressed on multiple occasions that a drawn-out conflict serves no one’s interest.

“Starting talks is the only way to avoid more casualties and losses and prevent further spread of the conflict. We once again call on parties to show sincerity, seize every opportunity and window for peace, initiate peace talks as soon as possible, and bring an early end to this war that should not have happened in the first place,” Mao also said.

Commenting on the visit of four United States senators to Taiwan ahead of President Trump’s visit to China, Mao said China has all along opposed official contact between the United States and China’s Taiwan region, and has lodged serious protests with the United States side.

“The U.S. should abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, handle the Taiwan question prudently and properly, stop any form of official contact with China’s Taiwan region, stop sending any wrong message to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces, and take concrete actions to uphold the overall China-U.S. relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. China’s position on issues related to China’s Taiwan region is consistent and clear. We will do what is necessary to firmly safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Mao added.

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