ISTANBUL

China on Wednesday signaled support to the Pakistani offer to host US-Iran talks aimed at ending the war in Middle East.

“Ceasefire and peace talks are more important tasks at hand,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing.

"China supports all efforts conducive to easing tensions, deescalating the situation and restoring dialogue," Lin added.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday expressed Islamabad’s readiness to host US-Iran talks. His statement was shared by US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform.

On US reportedly presenting Iran with a "peace plan," Lin said: " China supports all efforts conducive to easing tensions, de-escalating the situation and resuming dialogue."

He added dialogue and negotiation provide are the "only viable way forward."

On Iran’s control on Strait of Hormuz, spokesman Lin said: "Maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East and keeping shipping routes safe serves the common interests of the international community."

He said China is in communication with relevant parties to "work for the deescalation of the situation."

"The pressing priority is for the parties concerned is to immediately stop military operations to avoid further deterioration and escalation of the situation and prevent the turmoil from causing a greater impact on global economy," he added.

According to Beijing-based Caixing Global, the first Chinese-owned cargo vessel has successfully navigated a newly established safe corridor in Iranian waters, bypassing traditional shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz. The corridor, set up on March 13 between Larak and Qeshm islands, moves ships away from the deeper central lanes.

Lin further said: “The situation in the Middle East is dealing a heavy blow to the global supply chain. China will work with the international community and deal with energy issues together."

Hostilities in the Middle East region have escalated since a joint US-Israeli offensive on Iran, which has killed over 1,340 people since Feb. 28. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries, which it says are hosting “US military assets.”

Some 13 US servicemen have been killed while dozens of others have been wounded.