The Chinese government reiterated this Tuesday that "military pressure is not the solution" to the crisis in the Middle East and stated that "dialogue and negotiation are the right path" to end the war unleashed after the surprise offensive launched on February 28 by the United States and Israel against Iran.
"Military pressure is not the solution; dialogue and negotiation are the right path," defended China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, during a meeting in Beijing with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Mohamed bin Abdulrahman bin Jasim al Thani.
According to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang emphasized that "the tense situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region severely impacts the security of the countries in the region and continues to affect the stability of energy, navigation, and supply chains."
The head of Chinese diplomacy also stressed that "the sovereignty and security of all countries in the region must be fully respected" and that "the legitimate concerns of all parties must be adequately addressed." He also insisted that "the basic principles of International Law must be fully respected."
Wang also evoked the initiative of Chinese President Xi Jinping to promote peace in the Middle East and expressed Beijing's willingness to "strengthen communication and coordination with Qatar and other parties in the region" in order to "restore peace and stability as soon as possible" in the area.
On the other hand, the Qatari Foreign Ministry stated in a statement disseminated on social media that the meeting between Wang and Al Thani served to "discuss the cooperative relations between both countries," as well as the situation in the Middle East and "diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and improve security and stability."
Doha added that both parties "have emphasized the need to ensure the security and freedom of international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," and specified that Al Thani expressed Qatar's "full support" for diplomatic efforts aimed at "finding a solution that guarantees the freedom of maritime navigation and paves the way for reaching a comprehensive agreement that achieves sustainable peace in the region."