Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday that the current situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region is once again at a critical juncture, expressing hope that the parties concerned will return to the track of dialogue and negotiation as soon as possible.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when holding talks with Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, minister of foreign affairs of Kuwait, in Beijing. Wang added the top priority is to de-escalate the situation.
Wang said China always attaches great importance to its relations with Kuwait and stands ready to take the 55th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties as an opportunity to build a China-Kuwait strategic partnership with a more solid foundation, higher-quality outcomes and greater substance.
Wang also expressed confidence that Kuwait will continue to support China's just position on issues concerning its core interests and ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, institutions and projects in Kuwait.
Jarrah said Kuwait sincerely appreciates China's long-standing selfless assistance and support for Kuwait in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Kuwait firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is ready to work with China to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, Jarrah added.
Jarrah noted that Kuwait stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China to promote the early restoration of security and stability in the Middle East and the Gulf region, and safeguard the freedom and safety of international waterways.
Chinese FM calls on Middle East, Gulf parties to resume dialogue, negotiation
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for engagement and cooperation of relevant parties for a confidence-building mechanism that aims to safeguard the movement of essential goods through maritime choke points.
Guterres said a task force he established in March for the Strait of Hormuz crisis has worked to develop "a practical and time-bound confidence-building mechanism focused initially on fertilizers and related raw materials -- but with the ability to be extended to other products."
"Navigational rights and freedoms are not abstract principles, they are international law. Those rights and freedoms are vital for international peace and security and for the flow of food, energy and essential goods on which billions of lives depend. The mechanism would not authorize passage through the State of Hormuz or alter the rights or obligations of any Member State and their international law. Sovereign decisions remain entirely with participating Member States. United Nations would serve as a neutral facilitator and the purpose is simple to reduce immediate risks, support more orderly and predictable transit, and help rebuild the confidence necessary for diplomacy and de-escalation," he stated at a press briefing.
The mechanism can be operationalized quickly as international support for this effort has been encouraging, particularly from vulnerable countries that understand what is at stake when maritime lifelines are disrupted, he said. "What is needed now is the cooperation and political will of the parties. I urge all concerned to engage seriously and constructively."
Guterres cautioned that the mechanism is not a substitute for fully restoring navigational rights and freedoms, or for the political solutions needed to end these conflicts. But it is a practical first step. A demonstration that, even amid conflict, it is possible to reduce risks, protect civilians and safeguard the movement of essential goods, said Guterres.
"The alternative is continued disruption, deeper mistrust and mounting hardship for people far beyond the regions directly affected," he warned.
Guterres called for full respect for international law, including the law of the sea and international humanitarian law; protection for civilian shipping, infrastructure and civilian seafarers; the upholding of navigational rights and freedoms; an immediate end to attacks against commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the Black Sea; the full restoration and respect of navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz; and an end to attacks against shipping in the Red Sea and around Bab al-Mandab.
"Maritime choke points must never become instruments of coercion. And the world's food supply must never become collateral damage of conflict," said Guterres.
UN chief calls for cooperation on maritime shipping mechanism
