Saadet Gökce
17 June 2025•Update: 18 June 2025
ISTANBUL
China's President Xi Jinping on Tuesday blamed Israeli attacks on Iran for "the sudden escalation of tensions" in the Middle East, urging an end to military conflicts.
“China is deeply concerned about the sudden escalation of tension in the Middle East caused by Israel’s military action against Iran. We oppose any act that infringes on the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of other countries,” Xi told Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during a meeting in the Kazakh capital, Astana.
The duo was in Astana to attend the second China-Central Asia summit, according to China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.
“Military conflict does not provide a solution, nor does escalation of the regional situation serve the common interest of the international community,” said Xi.
The Chinese president urged “all parties” to “de-escalate the conflict as soon as possible and avoid further deterioration of tension.”
“China is ready to work with all parties to play a constructive role in restoring peace and stability to the Middle East,” he added.
Beijing had earlier urged its citizens to leave Israel and Iran “as soon as possible" due to the conflict in the region.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday also decried US President Donald Trump's call for Iranians to evacuate the capital, Tehran, as "adding fuel to the fire.”
Regional tensions have escalated since Friday, when Israel launched airstrikes on multiple sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.
Since then, Israeli authorities said at least 24 people have been killed and hundreds injured in Iranian missile attacks.
Iran said at least 224 people have been killed and over 1,000 others wounded in the Israeli assault.
