NEWS DESK (MNN); China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran “should not have happened” and warned that the war benefits no one.
Speaking to reporters during an annual political gathering in Beijing, Wang criticised the escalation of hostilities and urged all sides to return to diplomatic negotiations to resolve the crisis.
Despite his criticism of Washington, Wang indicated that a potential meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping could still take place later this month. He said China remains open to dialogue with the United States, stressing that the world cannot afford confrontation between the two largest economies.
Wang emphasised that military power should not determine global affairs and warned against a return to “the law of the jungle.” He urged the US and Israel to respect Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, adding that China plans to send a diplomatic envoy to the Middle East to help mediate.
China maintains close strategic ties with Iran and is a major buyer of Iranian oil as well as energy from other Middle Eastern countries. Supplies have been affected by tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
The Chinese foreign minister also said Beijing seeks “peaceful coexistence” and mutually beneficial cooperation with Washington, noting that while neither country can reshape the other, both can decide how they engage.
Addressing European concerns, Wang said Europe should view China as a global partner rather than a competitor. He also criticised rising trade protectionism, an apparent reference to tariffs introduced by President Trump.
According to Wang, protectionist policies are like “locking oneself in a dark room,” preventing both risk and opportunity. He highlighted that China plans to further open its markets and will remove tariffs on imports from many African countries starting May 1 to boost economic cooperation.
However, Wang did not comment on concerns over China’s slowing domestic demand after the government recently set its lowest economic growth target since the 1990s.
Wang also addressed tensions with Japan following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting Tokyo could respond if China invades Taiwan. Wang insisted that Taiwan is part of China and warned that its status is an internal matter.
On the Middle East conflict, Wang reaffirmed China’s support for a two-state solution to the Palestine issue and said any future peace arrangements should strengthen that framework.
