China ‘deeply concerned’ about escalation after Iran strikes Israel

China is “deeply concerned” about escalating tensions in the Middle East after Iran launched drones and missiles in a retaliatory strike against Israel, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.
Iran’s strikes marked its first direct attack on Israeli territory, raising the threat of a wider conflict in the region where China has sought to play a role as a mediator and from where it sources a growing proportion of its energy imports.
“China calls on relevant parties to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalation of tensions,” the spokesperson said in a statement in the form of a response to a question from unidentified reporters about the Iranian attacks. The statement was posted on the ministry’s website.
The spokesperson said in the statement, “China calls on the international community, especially influential countries, to play a constructive role in maintaining regional peace and stability.”
The Chinese foreign ministry’s spokesperson said that this round of tensions was a “spillover from the Gaza conflict,” adding that quelling it as soon as possible was “a top priority”.