Chinese, Iranian foreign ministers have in-depth exchange on bilateral ties, issues of common concern: spokesman

China believes that it is imperative to completely end the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and persist in negotiations, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.

Spokesman Lin Jian made the statement in response to a query on the talks in Beijing between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi earlier in the day.

During the talks, the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and the international and regional issues of common concern, Lin said at a press conference in Beijing.

"During his talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi, Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that since the outbreak of the war, China has been actively promoting peace talks. Chinese President Xi Jinping solemnly put forward a four-point proposal for promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, which has received enthusiastic responses from the international community. The current regional situation is at a critical stage of whether the conflict could end. China believes that it is imperative to completely end the war, that it is absolutely inadvisable to resume the war, and that it is particularly important to persist in negotiations," Lin said.

"China supports Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security and commends Iran's willingness to seek a political settlement through diplomatic channels. Regarding the issue of the Hormuz Strait, the international community shares common concerns about restoring normal and safe passage across the Strait. China hopes that the parties concerned will respond to the strong voices of the international community as soon as possible. China holds that the Gulf and Middle East countries should take their destinies into their own hands, and encourages Iran to engage in dialogue with more Gulf countries to achieve good-neighborly and friendly relations. China supports regional countries in establishing a regional peace and security framework featuring joint participation, safeguarding common interests and achieving common development," he said.

"Foreign Minister Wang Yi also said that China is willing to uphold the four-point proposal put forward by President Xi. With the goal of supporting regional countries in building a common home of good-neighborliness, development, security and cooperation, we will further strive to cool down the situation and de-escalate tensions, eliminate the fighting, continue to provide assistance for the launch of peace talks, and play a greater role in restoring peace and tranquility in the Middle East," said the spokesman.

Chinese, Iranian foreign ministers have in-depth exchange on bilateral ties, issues of common concern: spokesman

Crowds of music fans have been praised for their unified response after a medical emergency unfolded during a music festival in central China's Hubei Province on Sunday night, with some 20,000 revelers quickly parting to create a pathway for medics to transport a collapsed man to a waiting ambulance.

The heartwarming moment occurred on the streets of Jingzhou City, where a large number of people had gathered for a performance, when one of the attendees reportedly took unwell and fainted.

When the alarm was raised that the man was in need of medical assistance, the attentive crowd allowed emergency responders to come through and perform immediate first aid treatment on site, before a stretcher was brought to transport the man to a waiting ambulance.

In a remarkable scene, as seen in footage filmed from above, the crowds coordinated along with police and emergency personnel to separate and create a clear gap -- which some later referred to as a "life channel" -- for the collapsed man to be speedily carried through.

The actions of the crowds were hailed by local people and emergency workers in enabling the man to be on his way to hospital in the space of just three minutes.

"The entire process was very quick. Everyone was in totally sync when making this pathway for the man to come through," said Ding Yi, a local community worker.

"I ran through a small channel and quickly led the medical personnel to this location. When they were carrying out first aid, the stretcher arrived, and then they moved the patient to the ambulance. The whole process took no more than three minutes," said Pei Zhihong, a police officer, as he explained where the incident unfolded.

According to local police, the man is now out of danger and recovering well.

Massive crowd makes way to allow medics to treat, transport patient at music festival