China has expressed its firm opposition to and strong condemnation of the brazen US and Israeli aggression against Iran and the murder of the country’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
In an immediate reaction, following the start of the aggression on February 28, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that China is highly concerned over the military strikes against Iran launched by the US and Israel, adding that Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected.
The same day, the United Nations Security Council met in emergency session in New York.
Ambassador Fu Cong said: “Today, the United States and Israel brazenly launched military strikes against targets inside Iran, causing a sudden escalation of regional tensions. China is deeply concerned about this development. China consistently advocates that all parties should abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and opposes and condemns the use or threat of force in international relations. China stresses that the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of Iran and other regional countries must be respected.”
Speaking on a day when a US-Israeli air strike in the south of Iran hit a primary school, killing at least 148 people, the majority of them schoolgirls, and injuring at least 95 others, Fu added:
“China is deeply saddened by the large number of civilian casualties caused by the conflict. At all times, the red line for protecting civilians in armed conflict must not be crossed, and the indiscriminate use of force is unacceptable.”
He also stated that: “China calls for an immediate cessation of military actions to prevent further cycles of escalation. The military strikes occurred at a time when the US and Iran were engaged in diplomatic negotiations, which is shocking. The parties concerned should demonstrate political sincerity, resume dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible, and return to the right track of a political solution.”
On March 1, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that, “China firmly opposes and strongly condemns the attack and killing of Iran’s supreme leader.”
The attack and killing of Iran’s supreme leader is a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security, said the spokesperson, adding that it tramples on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms in international relations.
On the same day, Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed the situation in a telephone call with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
Wang said that it is unacceptable for the United States and Israel to launch strikes on Iran during the Iran-US negotiations, adding that it is also unacceptable for them to blatantly kill the leader of a sovereign state and incite government change. These actions violate international law and basic norms of international relations.
Wang summarised China’s position in three points:
- An immediate cessation of military operations.
- A prompt return to dialogue and negotiations.
- A joint opposition to unilateral actions. Striking sovereign countries without authorisation of the UN Security Council undermines the foundation of peace established after World War II. The international community should send a clear message against any regression to the law of the jungle.
Sergei Lavrov said that Russia shares the same position with China and stands ready to strengthen coordination and communication with the Chinese side to send a clear signal through platforms such as the UN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, calling for an immediate cessation of the war and a return to diplomatic negotiations.
The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency and on the website of China’s Permanent Mission to the UN.
China calls for immediate stop of military actions against Iran launched by U.S., Israel
BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) — China is highly concerned over the military strikes against Iran launched by the U.S. and Israel, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Saturday, noting that China calls for an immediate stop of the military actions.
The spokesperson made the remarks when asked to comment on the military strikes against Iran launched by the U.S. and Israel on Saturday, Beijing time.
China is highly concerned over the military strikes against Iran launched by the U.S. and Israel, said the spokesperson, adding Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected.
China calls for an immediate stop of the military actions, no further escalation of the tense situation, resumption of dialogue and negotiation, and efforts to uphold peace and stability in the Middle East, the spokesperson emphasized.
Remarks on the Situation in the Middle East by Ambassador Fu Cong at the UN Security Council Emergency Meeting
Feb 28 (Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the UN) – President,
I thank Secretary-General António Guterres for his briefing, and support his call for deescalation and return to diplomatic negotiations.
Today, the United States and Israel brazenly launched military strikes against targets inside Iran, causing a sudden escalation of regional tensions. China is deeply concerned about this development. China consistently advocates that all parties should abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and opposes and condemns the use or threat of force in international relations. China stresses that the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of Iran and other regional countries must be respected.
China is deeply saddened by the large number of civilian casualties caused by the conflict. At all times, the red line for protecting civilians in armed conflict must not be crossed, and the indiscriminate use of force is unacceptable. China calls on all parties to fulfill their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, effectively ensure the safety of civilians, and avoid attacks on civilian facilities.
The use of force is not the right way to settle international disputes. It only intensifies hatred and confrontation. The escalation and spillover of tensions in the Middle East serve no one’s interests. Dialogue and negotiations are the only way to resolve differences. China calls for an immediate cessation of military actions to prevent further cycles of escalation. The military strikes occurred at a time when the US and Iran were engaged in diplomatic negotiations, which is shocking. The parties concerned should demonstrate political sincerity, resume dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible, and return to the right track of a political solution.
China stands ready to work with the international community to advance peace efforts and help restore peace and stability in the Middle East at an early date.
I thank you, President.
China firmly opposes, strongly condemns attack, killing of Iran’s supreme leader
BEIJING, March 1 (Xinhua) — China firmly opposes and strongly condemns the attack and killing of Iran’s supreme leader, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.
The spokesperson made the remarks when asked to comment on the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the military strikes launched by the United States and Israel on Saturday in Tehran.
The attack and killing of Iran’s supreme leader is a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security, said the spokesperson, adding that it tramples on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms in international relations.
China urges for an immediate stop to the military operations, no further escalation of the tense situation and joint effort to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East and the world at large, the spokesperson added.
Chinese FM holds phone talks with Russian counterpart over U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran
BEIJING, March 1 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday held a phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the latter’s request.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that under the impetus of China and Russia, the United Nations (UN) Security Council held an emergency meeting Saturday on current situation in Iran.
China has consistently upheld the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and opposed the use of force in international relations, he said.
It is unacceptable for the United States and Israel to launch strikes on Iran during the Iran-U.S. negotiations, said Wang, adding that it is also unacceptable for them to blatantly kill the leader of a sovereign state and incite government change.
Wang pointed out that these actions violate international law and basic norms of international relations.
Noting that the escalation has spread throughout the Persian Gulf, Wang said that the situation in the Middle East may be pushed into a dangerous abyss, and China is highly concerned about this.
Wang pointed out that China’s position on the situation in Iran is as follows:
First, an immediate cessation of military operations. Prevent the spread and spillover of war and prevent the situation from getting out of control. China attaches great importance to the security of Gulf countries and supports them in exercising restraint.
Second, a prompt return to dialogue and negotiations. All parties should strongly encourage peace and prevent war, and urge relevant parties to return to the track of dialogue and negotiation as soon as possible.
Thirdly, a joint opposition to unilateral actions. Striking sovereign countries without authorization of the UN Security Council undermines the foundation of peace established after World War II. The international community should send a clear message against any regression to the law of the jungle.
For his part, Lavrov said that the U.S.-Israel strikes against Iran have seriously undermined stability in the Middle East.
Russia shares the same position with China and stands ready to strengthen coordination and communication with the Chinese side to send a clear signal through platforms such as the UN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, calling for an immediate cessation of the war and a return to diplomatic negotiations, he said.
