China and UK Share Responsibility for International Peace, Says Chinese Foreign Minister

Kathmandu. China's Foreign Minister on Thursday told his British counterpart that China and the UK share the responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.

He called for a ceasefire in the Middle East.

Beijing is a partner of Iran, which has been targeted by US-Israeli attacks since last month, but it has also criticized Tehran's attacks against Gulf nations where US military bases are located.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper that they must continuously take steps for peace.

“We must work together to prevent further damage to the international order and the erosion of the foundation of world peace,” Wang told Cooper.

Wang said, “No one can be a winner in a prolonged conflict.”

Cooper visited Saudi Arabia last week during the first ministerial visit from Britain since the war began.

US President Donald Trump had expressed his displeasure to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, stating that the UK did not support the conflict.

British Foreign Minister Cooper stated on Monday that the UK has taken necessary steps to defend itself and its allies but will not be drawn into a wider war.

Starmer said, “The UK is working with allies on a ‘practical’ plan to reopen the ‘Strait of Hormuz,’ but rejected the use of a NATO mission there.”

Beijing on Thursday condemned the incident involving Iranian National Security Chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli airstrike.