Xi offers to work with other countries to play constructive role in Middle East
Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed China's readiness to work with other countries to play a constructive role in stabilizing the Middle East. He also expressed worries about Israel's actions in the region.
Xi was speaking with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Tuesday in the Kazakh capital of Astana on the sidelines of a meeting of the leaders of China and five Central Asian countries.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Xi expressed deep concerns about Israel's military operation against Iran, which has caused a sudden escalation of tensions in the region.
The ministry said Xi noted that China opposes any actions that infringe upon the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of other countries.
The ministry said Xi called on all related parties to work to prevent tensions in the Middle East from further escalating as soon as possible, and said China is ready to work with them.
At the subsequent China-Central Asia Summit, Xi expressed opposition to hegemonies and power politics, apparently criticizing the tariff policies of the administration of US President Donald Trump.
Xi stressed his intention to promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.
The remarks are seen as an apparent attempt to keep the Group of Seven in check by stressing China's cooperative relations with Central Asian countries, as the G7 summit was being held at around the same time.
They also demonstrate China's stance to counter the United States, with which China has been experiencing some trade friction.
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