U.S. dollar ticks down

The U.S. dollar weakened in late trading on Thursday.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, dropped 0.87 percent to 99.222 at 3 p.m. (1900 GMT).

In late New York trading, the euro climbed to 1.156 dollars from 1.1516 dollars in the previous session, and the British pound was up to 1.3404 dollars from 1.3341 dollars in the previous session.

The U.S. dollar bought 157.83 Japanese yen, lower than 159.41 Japanese yen in the previous session. The U.S. dollar increased to 0.7905 Swiss francs from 0.7902 Swiss francs, and it added to 1.3727 Canadian dollars from 1.3701 Canadian dollars. The U.S. dollar declined to 9.318 Swedish Kronor from 9.3346 Swedish Kronor.

China's top diplomat Wang Yi said on Friday that one of the top priorities at present is to contain the spread of the conflict and prevent further involvement of other countries.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the French president, at the latter's request.

Wang elaborated on China's position, saying that the current situation in the Middle East is still deteriorating, with the conflict continuing to spread. This has not only undermined the stability of global energy supply but also led to a severe humanitarian crisis.

Resorting to force will not solve the problem, and an unjust war should not be allowed to continue, he said.

In the face of the critical situation, China and France, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, should strengthen strategic communication and coordination, firmly uphold the UN Charter and international law, and prevent the world from regressing to the "law of the jungle," Wang said.

He added that the other two top priorities are for the international community to speak with one voice in calling for an immediate ceasefire and to intensify efforts to advance peace talks, and for the United Nations and the UN Security Council to play their due role in facilitating the early restoration of peace and stability in the region.

Despite the difficulties, dialogue and negotiation remain the right path out of the crisis, Wang said, adding that China and France should work together toward this end.

For his part, Bonne shared his perspectives on the current situation in the Middle East, including developments in Iran and Lebanon.

He said that France and China, as major countries, both support the United Nations, abide by international law, and advocate resolving differences through dialogue.

He said that the two countries should work together to explore solutions and contribute to easing tensions and resuming negotiations.

France is willing to enhance communication and cooperation with China to push for the early achievement of peace and stability in the Middle East, he added.