China condemns civilian targeting, opposes strikes on Gulf nations amid Iran war

China delivered a pointed critique of the escalating Middle East conflict Wednesday, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun condemning attacks on civilians and expressing Beijing's opposition to strikes targeting Gulf nations. At a regular news conference in Beijing, Guo stated that China "does not agree with attacks against countries in the Gulf region and condemns non-discriminatory attacks against civilians or non-military targets."

Beijing demands immediate halt to military operations

Guo emphasized the urgent need for de-escalation, declaring "The pressing priority now is to stop military operations at once and prevent the conflict from spreading." He called for a swift return to diplomatic channels, stating "The way out of the conflict is to return to dialogue and negotiation as soon as possible and strive for restoration of peace." The spokesperson urged all parties to resume "abiding by" international law, characterizing the US and Israeli attacks on Iran as a "clear violation" of legal norms, particularly given they occurred "in the process" of negotiations.

Sovereignty and security must be respected

The Chinese spokesperson stressed that the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of all countries "should be respected." His remarks reflect Beijing's consistent position advocating for non-interference in internal affairs and respect for national sovereignty, principles that have guided Chinese foreign policy for decades. The statement follows a call last week between Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, during which Wang expressed Beijing's confidence that Iran would maintain national and social stability while taking seriously the legitimate concerns of neighboring countries.

Conflict enters third week with no end in sight

China's diplomatic intervention comes as the US-Israeli joint attack on Iran, launched Feb. 28, has killed more than 1,200 people and injured another 10,000, according to Iranian authorities. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, expanding the conflict's geographic scope and drawing in regional powers. Beijing's call for restraint and return to diplomacy adds a significant international voice to those seeking an end to hostilities, though it remains unclear whether the warning will influence the conflict's trajectory.