China calls for calm, restraint following Israel's airstrikes in Lebanon

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman on Thursday urged all relevant parties to remain calm and exercise restraint following Israel's airstrikes on Lebanon on Wednesday, urging actions to help de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.

Spokeswoman Mao Ning made the remarks at a daily press briefing in response to a related query.

"Lebanon's sovereignty and security should not be violated, and the safety of civilians and their property must be protected. China calls on all relevant parties to remain calm and exercise restraint, and to work towards de-escalating the situation in the region," said Mao.

China hopes that Vietnam's top leader To Lam's upcoming visit to China will help carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

At the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Vietnamese President Lam will pay a state visit to China from April 14 to 17.

"Following his recent election as President of Vietnam, General Secretary To Lam chose China as his first overseas visit, fully demonstrating he attaches high importance to developing relations between the two parties and countries. China hopes that through this visit the two countries will carry forward the traditional friendship, further deepen the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, promote the building of a higher-level China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, jointly advance the global socialist cause, and work together to safeguard regional and global peace, stability, and prosperity," said Mao.