Chinese officials' responses to Israel-Iran
I’m in Brussels today for a conference on China in the Middle East, and of course there is a lot of discussion about the current crisis between Israel and Iran. Since I need to be involved in the conference, I don’t have time for analysis or commentary, so I’m just sharing some of the statements we’ve seen from China. I would point out that if you go to Xinhua, there’s almost no mention of the crisis; the lead is all Xi Jinping in Astana for the China-Central Asia Summit. Same thing for the press conference below - the lead question isn’t about Iran but rather the summit. This tells us something important, I think.
The conference wraps up tomorrow and then I fly home to Canada, so I expect posting will be sporadic for the week. That said, things are moving fast so I might be back sooner than I think.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun’s Regular Press Conference on June 16, 2025 - PRC MoFA.
Rudaw Media Network: Chinese Foreign Minister has spoken with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts, stating that targeting nuclear sites is a dangerous development. Does China perceive any risk of the conflict expanding or escalating into a broader war in the region? What measures is China taking to prevent the war from spreading to other Middle Eastern countries?
Guo Jiakun: China is deeply concerned about Israel’s attacks on Iran, which caused the spike of military conflicts. We call on parties to immediately take measures to ease tensions as soon as possible, prevent the region from spiraling into greater turmoil, and create conditions for returning to the right track of resolving issues through dialogue and negotiation.
If the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to escalate or even spill over, the other countries in the Middle East will inevitably bear the brunt. Foreign Minister Wang Yi has spoken to Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on the phone, calling on both sides to resolve differences through dialogue. Relevant parties need to take measures immediately to put a brake on the escalation of the conflict and bring down the temperature of the situation.
Let me stress that force cannot bring lasting peace, all international disputes should be settled through dialogue and consultation, and only by upholding the vision of common security can the legitimate concerns of all parties be thoroughly addressed. China will continue to maintain communication with relevant parties and promote talks for peace, so as to prevent more turmoil in the region.
AFP: Just a quick follow up on Israel and Iran. Has there been any more contact between Chinese and Iranian and Chinese and Israeli officials since Wang Yi’s call to them over the weekend? And how does China now view the feasibility of a nuclear deal?
Guo Jiakun: As I just said, Foreign Minister Wang Yi had phone conversations with foreign ministers of Israel and Iran over the weekend respectively, urging the two sides to address differences through dialogue. China will continue playing a constructive role in solving the ongoing Israeli-Iranian conflict. On the prospect of the Iranian nuclear negotiations, let me stress that China calls for a peaceful settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue through political and diplomatic means. We stand ready to maintain communication and coordination with relevant parties, play a constructive role for the deescalation of the situation, and create a favorable environment for the political and diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.
Wang Yi Has a Phone Call with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi - PRC MoFA.
On June 14, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.
Seyed Abbas Araghchi briefed Wang Yi on the latest developments in the regional situation, saying that Israel's recent brazen attack on Iran caused casualties among Iranian military personnel and civilians, especially the attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, which seriously violated international law. The military operation by the Israeli side is highly dangerous and may drag the entire region into all-out war. He expressed his hope that the international community would voice a unified call for urging Israel to cease its military operations. Seyed Abbas Araghchi thanked China for its consistent understanding and support of Iran's position and expressed confidence that China will play an even more important role in promoting regional peace and stability.
Wang Yi said, China publicly stated its position immediately after Israel's attack on Iran. China explicitly condemns Israel's violation of Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and firmly opposes the reckless attacks targeting Iranian officials and causing civilian casualties. China supports Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty, defending its legitimate rights and interests, and ensuring the safety of its people. Israel's actions seriously violate the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and the basic norms governing international relations. In particular, Israel's attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities have set a dangerous precedent with potentially catastrophic consequences. China supports the international community in upholding justice and speaking out as soon as possible. China also urges the countries that have influence over Israel to make concrete efforts to restore peace.
Wang Yi stated that at present, the regional situation is at a critical and crucial moment. China is ready to maintain communication with Iran and other relevant parties to continue playing a constructive role in de-escalating the situation. He expressed the hope that the Iranian side will ensure the security and safety of Chinese institutions and personnel. Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that the Iranian side is willing to maintain communication with the Chinese side and do its utmost to ensure the security and safety of Chinese institutions and personnel.
Remarks on the Situation in the Middle East by Ambassador Fu Cong at the UN Security Council Briefing - Permanent Mission of the PRC to the UN.
President,
Thank you for convening this emergency meeting. I thank Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for their briefings.
Early this morning, Israel launched large-scale attacks on multiple targets in Iran, causing damage to Iran's nuclear facilities and casualties. The Israeli side said that its military operations would last as many days as it takes. China condemns Israel's actions that violate Iran's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, opposes the intensification of tensions and the expansion of conflicts, and is deeply concerned about the potential grave consequences of the Israeli operations. The abrupt heating-up of the region serves no one's interests. We urge Israel to immediately cease all military adventurism and avoid further escalating tensions. We call on all relevant parties to abide by the UN Charter and international law, resolve disputes through political and diplomatic means, and jointly maintain regional peace and stability.
China is seriously concerned about the negative impact of the current developments on the diplomatic negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue. China has always been committed to peacefully resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiation. We oppose the use of force and illegal unilateral sanctions, and oppose armed attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities. As a State Party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Iran's right to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy should be fully respected.
President,
For some time now, conflicts in the Middle East have dragged on, and the regional situation has remained highly tense. Gaza has been subjected to prolonged attacks and blockades, with over two million people trapped in an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. The international community should work together to promote a ceasefire in Gaza, deescalate the regional situation, and effectively curb the spread of conflict. The country with significant influence over Israel should effectively play a constructive role. The Security Council should make full use of all the means conferred on it by the Charter to ensure the implementation of its relevant resolutions and to play its due role in maintaining regional peace and security.
I thank you, President.