Chinese FM's upcoming visit to further consolidate political mutual trust with UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan: spokesman

The upcoming visits by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Jordan will further consolidate political mutual trust between China and the three Middle Eastern countries, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

Guo made the remarks while responding to a media query on Wang's visits to the three countries from Dec. 12 to 16.

"China enjoys traditional friendship with the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, and has always advanced its relations with the three countries from a strategic and long-term perspective. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and the leaders of the three countries, exchanges and cooperation between China and the three countries in various fields have yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of China and the three countries and making important contributions to peace and development in the Middle East and the world at large," said Guo.

"To implement the important common understandings reached between the heads of state, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and China's foreign minister, will visit the three countries. He will hold talks with his counterparts to exchange views on bilateral relations, the situation in the Middle East, and major issues of mutual concerns. China looks forward to using this visit to further consolidate political mutual trust with the three countries, deepen the alignment of development strategies, expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields and strengthen multilateral coordination, so as to elevate China's relations with the three countries to a higher level. The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan are all important members of the Arab League. China will host the second China-Arab States Summit next year. During the visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi will also engage in communication and coordination with his counterparts of the three countries on preparations for the summit," the spokesman added.

Chinese FM's upcoming visit to further consolidate political mutual trust with UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan: spokesman

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday reiterated his call for the United States and Israel to stop the war against Iran, and for Iran to stop attacking its neighbors.

Noting that the impacts of the conflict are being felt everywhere, Guterres warned that the world is on the edge of a wider war that would engulf the whole Middle East with dramatic impacts around the globe.

The secretary-general said that "the Middle East crisis has lurched into its second month", and warned that the scale of devastation, indiscriminate attacks, and targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure are all growing.

"My message is clear. To the United States and Israel, it is high time to stop the war that is inflicting immense human suffering and already triggering devastating economic consequences. To Iran, to stop attacking their neighbors. The Security Council has condemned these attacks and reaffirmed the need to respect navigational rights and freedoms along critical maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz. Conflicts do not end on their own. They end when leaders choose dialog over destruction. That choice still exists, and it must be made now," he said.

Guterres said diplomatic efforts are underway to find a peaceful path forward, which "deserve the space and support to succeed -- anchored firmly in international law, including the UN Charter".

UN chief renews call for U.S., Israel to stop war against Iran