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China ready to help achieve long-term peace in Middle East — envoy

Zhai Jun noted that hostilities in the Middle East are dragging on and "spreading beyond the region," while force "cannot solve the problem"

BEIJING, November 9. /TASS/. China intends to promote long-term peace and stability in the Middle East and calls on all parties to adhere to a political settlement, special envoy for Middle East affairs Zhai Jun said during a visit to Iran.

"Guided by a series of initiatives and proposals by President Xi Jinping aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the Middle East, China is ready to support the development of good-neighborly and friendly relations among countries in the region, adhere to the concept of all-encompassing, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, to build a new regional security architecture, and to promote long-term peace and stability in the region," the Foreign Ministry quoted him as saying. In Iran, Zhai Jun held separate meetings with Iranian Supreme National Security Council Deputy Secretary Ali Bagheri Kani, Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi, as well as Iranian foreign minister’s aide and Foreign Ministry’s Persian Gulf Department Director General Mohammad Alibek.

The Chinese special envoy noted that hostilities in the Middle East are dragging on and "spreading beyond the region," while force "cannot solve the problem." "The sovereignty and security of all states must be respected; all interested parties must adhere to a peaceful path, focus on a political settlement in a spirit of rationality and pragmatism, and promote the swift restoration of stability and development in the region," he emphasized.

According to the envoy, Iranian representatives stated during the meetings that Tehran would "resolutely defend" its sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, insist on a political settlement of regional conflicts through dialogue and consultation, and oppose external interference. "The Iranian side is ready <…> to work together with China and other peace-loving forces to promote the swift restoration of peace and calm in the Persian Gulf region of the Middle East," the statement said.

Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning stated that Zhai Jun would visit Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia in the first half of November to promote peace and security in the region.

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