China urges caution in Israel – Iran tensions, calls for ceasefire

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at the opening ceremony of the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China September 5, 2024. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File

PARIS, October 14, 2024 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on all parties involved in tensions between Israel and Iran on Monday to exercise caution and avoid escalating.

In a phone conversation with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, Wang also urged Israel to ensure the safety of personnel of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), a foreign ministry statement said.

He also reiterated Beijing’s position on the Gaza conflict, calling for an immediate, complete and permanent ceasefire.

Katz said during the call he had “clarified that Iran is the primary source for undermining stability in the Middle East”, and said that Iran poses a direct threat through its proxies, including Hamas and Hezbollah.

Katz said he has expected that China would express “a balanced and fair position in relation to the war”, citing the economic cooperation ties between the two countries “and the fact that approximately 20,000 workers from China continue to work in Israel during the…war”.