ISTANBUL

China on Monday signaled its willingness to deepen global security cooperation, as questions grow over Washington’s commitments to allies following Israel’s recent airstrikes in Qatar.

“We stand ready to work with all parties to jointly implement the Global Security Initiative, strengthen international security cooperation, uphold the principles of UN Charter to build a world of peace, development and universal security,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters in the Chinese capital.

Lin was responding to a question potential turn to China by nations for defense cooperation after Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari pledged to expand military ties with Beijing. His comments followed the airstrikes in Doha, which exposed vulnerabilities in US security guarantees.

Although the US and Qatar are allies bound by security commitments, Israel launched an airstrike targeting Hamas officials in Doha who were meeting to discuss a US ceasefire proposal.

Beijing “advocates the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security,” Lin said.

On a 10-day trip to China, Zardari toured the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) complex in Chengdu, where he praised Chinese-built fighter jets.

Beyond Pakistan, several nations – particularly in the Middle East – are diversifying their defense partnerships and seeking closer security ties with Beijing as they move away from dependence on the US.