China on Sunday pledged to strengthen coordination with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to push for a de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East, warning that the current situation is “highly complex and sensitive.”
Zhai Jun, China’s special envoy for Middle East affairs, made the commitment during a meeting with GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia.
Zhai urged all parties to immediately bring about a ceasefire and end hostilities, prevent further escalation of tensions, and return to the path of negotiation as soon as possible, according to a readout of the meeting released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The Chinese side appreciates the GCC’s stance made clear at an extraordinary meeting of its ministerial council that dialogue and diplomacy are the sole path to overcome the current crisis and preserve regional security, Zhai said.
“China will further play a constructive role, work with the GCC and Gulf countries to actively promote peace, end hostilities, and de-escalate tensions,” he said.
Zhai is on a tour to the region in the wake of US-Israeli strikes on Iran and the latter’s retaliations that have heightened instability in the Middle East.
During Sunday’s meeting, Albudaiwi warned that the ongoing escalation in the Gulf region poses a serious threat to global security and stability and serves the interests of no one.
The GCC, he said, expresses appreciation for China’s efforts to promote peace and end hostilities, and is ready to enhance communication and coordination with China to jointly defuse the tensions.
