China welcomes int’l participation in Gulf, Middle East region initiative

The China-Pakistan initiative on the Gulf and Middle East region is open, and all countries and international organisations are welcome to respond to and participate in it.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning said this at a news conference on Wednesday.

Ning said China and Pakistan put forward a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region.

She said Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, met in Beijing on Tuesday and agreed on points.

The five points are: immediate cessation of hostilities; starting peace talks as soon as possible; ensuring the security of non-military targets and shipping lanes; and safeguarding the primacy of the United Nations Charter.

“One month into the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, its spillover effects have continued to spread, dealing an increasingly severe blow to regional and global peace and stability.

“These spillover effects have caused extensive disruptions to the stability of global energy supplies, the unimpeded operations of industrial and supply chains, and the development of the world economy.

“This is not in the interest of regional countries and the wider world,” Ning said.

China and Pakistan have voiced a rational and just position in the hope of building up greater consensus and pooling stronger efforts in the international community to contribute to easing the current tense situation.

“China will continue to maintain close communication with Pakistan and all relevant parties, to play a constructive role in promoting a ceasefire and ending the hostilities, as important countries in the Global South,” she said.