With the Middle East crisis continuing for more than a month, Beijing has stepped up pressure on the European Union and key European and Middle Eastern foreign ministers to seek an immediate cease-fire in the Iran conflict and to back a China-led peace proposal.
China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, held phone calls with Kaja Kallas, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy; Johan Badepul, Germany’s foreign minister; Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud; and Bahrain’s Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the rotating chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the series of calls were all made at the request of the other parties — a response Beijing described as 잉웨(應約·응약) — and stressed that the international community is closely watching China’s mediation efforts.
Wang told the officials that a cease-fire and the end of hostilities reflect strong international demand and are the most fundamental way to guarantee safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. He urged countries to build broader consensus and create the conditions needed for such an outcome. He also said the U.N. Security Council should focus on de-escalation and must not provide a legal cover for unauthorized military action or otherwise exacerbate the situation, the ministry reported.
Since the start of the Trump administration, Beijing has criticized U.S. unilateralism and cast itself as a defender of U.N.-centered multilateralism.
Speaking specifically to the EU, Wang said that amid a chaotic and unstable international environment, China and Europe share responsibility to strengthen communication and cooperation and to defend an international order centered on the U.N. and grounded in international law.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Kaja Kallas said the EU supports U.N. humanitarian operations and the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and pledged to do its utmost to ensure open transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
Kallas also noted that while the EU is not a party to the conflict, it has felt the spillover effects and hopes for rapid de-escalation and the resumption of dialogue and negotiations, the ministry added.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Germany’s foreign minister likewise expressed support for the U.N. playing its proper role, and Bahrain’s foreign minister said he hopes the U.N. Security Council will act to address transit issues in the Strait of Hormuz.
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Lee Jae-kyung (jack0@yna.co.kr)
