US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Saturday on China to help ease tensions in the Middle East, while China urged the US to play a responsible role in the Israel-Gaza conflict, emphasizing objectivity, fairness, and adherence to international law.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Saturday on China, a partner of Iran, to use its influence to push for calm in the Middle East.
The top US diplomat, who was visiting Saudi Arabia, had a “productive” one-hour telephone call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.
China has a warm relationship with Iran, whose clerical leadership supports both Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group ruling Gaza that carried out grisly attacks inside Israel a week ago, and Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group that could open a second front against Israel.
Wang, for his part, said that the United States should “play a constructive and responsible role, pushing the issue back on track for a political settlement as soon as possible,” according to a readout published by the Chinese foreign ministry.
“When dealing with international hot-spot issues, major countries must adhere to objectivity and fairness, maintain calmness and restraint, and take the lead in abiding by international law,” said Wang.
China’s official statements on the conflict have not specifically named Hamas in their condemnations of violence, leading to criticism from some Western officials who said they were too weak.
The United States considers China to be its main global challenger, but the two powers have been working to stabilize their relationship, with Blinken paying a rare visit to Beijing in June.
Miller said that the Middle East was an example of areas where the two powers could work together.
Katrine Dige Houmøller, with AFP
