Christine Drews Sieger
China is calling for diplomacy and a ceasefire to prevent further escalation in the Iran conflict.
A military solution to the conflict surrounding Iran is not a viable option in the long term, according to a new statement by the Chinese ambassador to Russia, Zhang Hanhui, in an interview with TASS.
Instead, he believes there is a greater need to protect civilians and international shipping.
“There are no winners in the conflict surrounding Iran,” Zhang told TASS.
Focus on negotiations
Instead, attention is being directed toward negotiations. According to Zhang, efforts are underway to achieve a rapid and effective de-escalation of tensions in the region.
China and Pakistan are cooperating on this effort and have jointly worked on a proposal for a ceasefire and peace negotiations.
The new negotiations also emphasize the importance of the UN Charter and international rules in handling the crisis.
This is not the first time China has called for military force to be set aside in favor of diplomatic solutions, TASS reports.
Xi’s Four Principles
To resolve the current conflict, Zhang points to four principles: peaceful coexistence, respect for state sovereignty, adherence to international law, and ensuring regional development and security.
China’s proposal comes at a time when several countries are trying to prevent further unrest in the region.
Both the EU and other Arab countries such as Egypt have called for the Iranian war to end before the conflict escalates further, The New Arab reports.
Sources: TASS, The New Arab
