Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday said that Israel's attack on Iran violated international law and norms governing international relations, infringed upon Iran's sovereignty and security, and undermined regional peace and stability.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi at the latter's request, noting that China has always advocated the peaceful settlement of all disputes.
Stressing that the immediate priority is achieving a ceasefire and bringing an end to the conflict, Wang said that China supports the joint statement on the Israel-Iran conflict issued by 21 Arab and Islamic countries, including Oman, and hopes that Arab and Islamic countries will unite and continue their efforts to push peace talks.
China will also maintain communication and coordination with Oman and other regional countries, and play a constructive role at platforms such as the United Nations to help bring an end to the conflict and restore peace in the Middle East, Wang said.
Chinese FM holds phone talks with Omani FM over Israel-Iran conflict
The Republic of Korea (ROK)'s former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday was sentenced to five years in prison on arrest obstruction charges.
The criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court in charge of Yoon's obstruction of justice case handed down the prison sentence to Yoon for abusing the presidential security service to hinder the anti-corruption agency from executing its arrest warrant in January 2025.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) was once thwarted in its attempt to arrest Yoon as the presidential security service formed human shields and bus blockades to prevent investigators from entering the presidential residence.
The team of Cho Eun-suk, an independent counsel who led investigations into Yoon's insurrection and other charges, demanded a 10-year prison term for Yoon.
The court said Yoon privatized the presidential security service for personal safety and private interests by blocking the law enforcement agencies' lawful execution of an arrest warrant and attempting to destroy evidence, pointing out that despite the very bad nature of his crime, he consistently offered unconvincing excuses and showed no remorse.
The court stressed that severe punishment was necessary, considering the need to restore the rule of law damaged by Yoon's crime, but it noted that the fact that he was a first-time offender with no criminal record was considered a favorable factor.
The sentencing, which was broadcast live, was Yoon's first verdict coming from his botched martial law bid.
The first-instance sentencing for Yoon's insurrection charges was scheduled for Feb 19. The special counsel sought a death penalty for Yoon on the charges.
Yoon declared emergency martial law on the night of Dec 3 in 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.
The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April 2025, officially removing him from office.
The ousted leader was indicted while in detention in January 2025 on charges of leading an insurrection, becoming the first sitting ROK president facing such prosecution.
ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges
ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges
