Chinese FM urges Israel to cease fire in Middle East

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Israel to immediately halt its military actions and de-escalate rising tensions in the Middle East during a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, on June 18, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, criticised Israel for "disregard for international law and norms," which he said had sharply intensified the crisis in the region, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

At what he described as a "critical juncture," Wang stressed that the international community — and especially regional countries — should build greater consensus and take coordinated action to resolve the conflict.

China, he added, is prepared to work closely with Egypt to strengthen communication and cooperation on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, in order to advance peace efforts and reconciliation in the region.

By Sabina Mammadli