China urges all parties to keep shipping routes in Strait of Hormuz safe and avoid causing greater impacts on the global economy, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Tuesday at a press conference in Beijing.
Mao made the statement in response to a media query about the disruption of shipping lanes in the strait, due to the U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran.
"Energy security is very important for the world economy. All parties have the responsibility to ensure stable and unimpeded energy supply. China urges all parties to immediately stop military operations, avoid further escalation of the tense situation, keep shipping routes in Strait of Hormuz safe and prevent further impact on the global economy," she said.
On Saturday, Iranian media reported that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps had closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping shortly after the onset of the U.S.-Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic, declaring the vital oil and gas waterway unsafe due to the U.S. and Israeli attacks.
China urges all parties to ensure safety of shipping routes in Strait of Hormuz: spokeswoman
An anti-war rally took place in front of the Los Angeles City Hall on Monday evening to strongly condemn the U.S. government's attacks on Iran.
Joint military strikes launched by the U.S. and Israel on Iran on Saturday morning have triggered a sharp escalation across the Middle East in recent days, setting off waves of missile exchanges, mounting casualties, and far-reaching political and security repercussions.
Protesters in Los Angeles raised banners and chanted slogans, calling on the U.S. government to cease military intervention in Iran's internal affairs.
They urged the U.S. government to focus more on the needs and demands of the American people instead of allocating funds to meaningless overseas wars.
"I want the U.S. to stop bombing Iran. Hands off Iran. Stop interfering with the politics of Iran. Stop sanctioning the people of Iran. So much money on killing people abroad. We are seeing people suffering from ICE raids here in the United States, suffering from high rents, the lack of housing, lack of social services that are being cut. People need to be supported right here. The people of Iran are not America's enemy. What people need is their government and taxpayer dollars to be spent on services for themselves and not on more death and war," said a demonstrator.
Some voiced serious concerns regarding the legality of the strikes ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump.
"Totally illegal war. It's against the U.S. Constitution for the president to start a war. It's against all principles of international law," another protester said.
Demonstrators gather outside Los Angeles City Hall to protest US strikes on Iran
