China puts forward four-point proposal for peace, stability in Middle East: spokesman

China has put forward a four-point proposal to restore peace and stability in the Middle East and Gulf region, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, urging that it is more imperative than ever for all parties to show utmost sincerity at this critical juncture.

Guo made the remarks in response to a question on the current situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region, as well as China's role in promoting peace talks and de-escalation.

"The Iran conflict is one of the most pressing challenges facing the international community. Recently, President Xi Jinping made a four-point proposition on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East. First, stay committed to the principle of peaceful co-existence. China supports regional states in improving their ties. It's important to work to build a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security architecture of the Middle East and the Gulf region. Second, stay committed to the principle of national sovereignty. The sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the Gulf states should be earnestly respected. Third, stay committed to the principle of international rule of law. It is important to firmly uphold the international system with the UN at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms governing international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We should prevent the world from returning to the law of the jungle. Fourth, stay committed to a balanced approach to development and security. China stands ready to share with regional countries the opportunities through Chinese modernization. All sides should work to create a sound environment for the development of the Gulf states. The proposition fully embodies China's consistent position and active efforts to promote peace, end hostilities, and advocate resolving disputes through dialogue. As a Chinese solution to end the conflict and realize peace, the proposition has received growing recognition and support from regional countries and the international community," said Guo.

"The current situation is at a critical stage of whether the conflict could end or not. In times like this, it is more imperative than ever that all sides show utmost sincerity, stick to the direction of political settlement, keep up the momentum for ceasefire and negotiation, and work for the early restoration of normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz and peace and stability in the Middle East and Gulf region. Guided by the spirit of President Xi Jinping's four-point proposition, China will work together with the international community to play an active and constructive role in this process," said the spokesman.

China puts forward four-point proposal for peace, stability in Middle East: spokesman

The traditional friendship between China and Mozambique has transcended time and space, said President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday when holding talks with visiting President of the Republic of Mozambique Daniel Francisco Chapo.

"The traditional friendship between China and Mozambique has transcended through history and across mountains and oceans. Over 600 years ago, China's navigator Zheng He of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) led a fleet to the Mozambican coast. In the 1960s and 1970s, despite its own great difficulties, China firmly supported the Mozambican people in their struggle for national independence and liberation. The two sides forged deep revolutionary feelings that laid a solid foundation for bilateral friendship," Xi said.

At the invitation of President Xi, President Chapo is on a state visit to China from April 16 to 21. It is the Mozambican president's first visit to China since he took office.

Chapo arrived in Beijing on Monday after visiting central China's Hunan Province and northwest China's Qinghai Province.

"The people of Mozambique and China share brotherly bonds. Our visit to China is in response to the series of important initiatives and proposals you have put forward, including the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, the Global Governance Initiative, as well as the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity. These important ideas are driving the world toward sustained progress, and China is playing a very important role [in these areas]," Chapo said during the talks.

China-Mozambique traditional friendship transcends time, space: Xi