Chinese special envoy urges return to diplomatic means in resolving Middle East tensions

China calls on the international community to uphold its commitment to peace, actively promote peace talks, and push for a return to diplomatic means in resolving disputes, a Chinese special envoy said on Monday after concluding his visit to the Middle East.

Zhai Jun, special envoy of the Chinese government on the Middle East issue, told a news briefing that he elaborated China's position to regional countries during the trip.

He said this is a war that should not have happened and the ins and outs of the crisis are clear.

"The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran without the authorization of the U.N. Security Council. This is a blatant breach of the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and international law, China firmly opposes and condemns such acts. Any discussion on how to solve this crisis must be based on an understanding of the root cause and full picture of the conflict," said Zhai.

Efforts must be made to prevent the spread and escalation of hostilities and the priority is to realize a ceasefire, said Zhai.

"The Middle East has seen more than enough turmoil. The countries and peoples in the region hope for nothing more than peace and tranquility. The relevant parties should immediately stop military actions and prevent the situation from further escalation and spiraling out of control. Under no circumstances should the red line of protecting civilians in military conflict be crossed; nor should non-military targets such as energy, economic and livelihood facilities be attacked; nor should the security of the Strait of Hormuz and other international shipping lanes be undermined. China condemns all indiscriminate attacks on civilians and non-military targets," Zhai said.

Noting that unilateralism must be firmly resisted, Zhai said that dialogue and negotiation offers the fundamental solution.

"Might does not make right. A major country should not use its military strength to attack other countries at will. The international community should together say no to any act that violates international law and oppose attempts to reduce the world to the law of the jungle," he said.

Chinese special envoy urges return to diplomatic means in resolving Middle East tensions

The Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) has grown from a seed to a towering tree, setting an example for the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Beijing on Monday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when addressing the reception celebrating the 10th anniversary of the first LMC leaders' meeting.

Wang said over the past decade, the LMC countries have linked their future more closely together, gained more robust momentum for development, forged a stronger underpinning for security, and deepened their people-to-people exchanges.

He pointed out that upholding good neighborliness, friendship and a shared future, focusing on development to serve the people, as well as pursuing innovation and breaking new ground are the three principles essential to the robust development of the LMC.

Stressing the importance of better synergizing development strategies among the LMC countries, Wang called on the six countries to jointly build an LMC 2.0, and set an LMC example for global governance.

Wang called for unity and cooperation in the LMC, carrying forward the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness. He said the six countries should pursue openness and win-win outcomes, and press ahead with infrastructure connectivity.

China will work with the five Mekong countries to usher in a new golden decade of the LMC, Wang said, calling for building a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home.

Lancang-Mekong cooperation sets example for building community with shared future for humanity: Chinese FM