Chinese FM urges ceasefire in Middle East, supports Gulf role in regional future

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on Tuesday for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East and efforts towards a political solution, and supports Gulf countries in taking the future of the region in their own hands.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani briefed the Chinese side on the regional situation and the position of Qatar, stressing that Qatar has had to undertake necessary measures of self-defense while stepping up diplomatic efforts to prevent the crisis from spreading and escalating.

He also expressed appreciation for China's fair and just position and its mediation efforts, and voiced hope that China will play a greater role in promoting a ceasefire and ending the hostilities.

For his part, Wang said that China, as a permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, has always adhered to principles and upheld fairness and justice in international affairs.

U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran, without authorization from the Security Council, clearly violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations, said Wang.

China does not approve of expanding the scope of military strikes and condemns indiscriminate attacks against civilians and non-military targets, said Wang, adding that the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the Gulf Arab countries should be respected.

Noting that the continuation of the war brings only harm with no benefit, and will only cause greater losses for all parties concerned, Wang said that China will continue to play a constructive role in easing tensions and restoring peace in its own way.

Chinese FM urges ceasefire in Middle East, supports Gulf role in regional future

Chinese FM urges ceasefire in Middle East, supports Gulf role in regional future

Chinese FM urges ceasefire in Middle East, supports Gulf role in regional future

Chinese FM urges ceasefire in Middle East, supports Gulf role in regional future

Chinese FM urges ceasefire in Middle East, supports Gulf role in regional future

Spanish health authorities on Friday identified a second monitored contact linked to the hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship MV Hondius after tracing a woman living in Catalonia who had shared a flight with a Dutch traveler died from the virus.

Spain's Center for Coordination of Health Alerts and Emergencies said the woman is asymptomatic and was initially missed during contact tracing because of a seat change on the aircraft.

According to health authorities, the woman now meets the criteria for monitored contact under a newly approved national surveillance protocol and will remain under medical observation.

This came after the suspected case of hantavirus detected in Alicante. Spanish Secretary of State for Health Javier Padilla said on Friday that the health authorities had taken relevant measures.

In addition, Padilla confirmed that all 14 Spanish passengers aboard the MV Hondius had agreed to undergo voluntary quarantine measures in order to minimize the risk of further transmission.

The Dutch-operated expedition cruise ship, currently heading toward Spain's Canary Islands, has so far been linked to three deaths.

Padilla said a team from the Spanish Health Ministry would travel to Tenerife on Saturday ahead of the ship's expected arrival on Sunday.

Passengers are expected to disembark by small boats before being transferred under strict isolation measures. Spanish citizens aboard the vessel will be transported to Madrid for quarantine observation.

The British Health Security Agency announced Friday that a suspected hantavirus case has been detected on the South Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha, linked to the ongoing outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship.

The vessel stopped at Tristan da Cunha between April 13 and 15.

Spain identifies second suspected hantavirus case linked to cruise ship outbreak