China urges ceasefire commitment as Mideast tensions escalate

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Monday expressed Beijing's deep concern over heightened tensions in the Middle East, urging all parties to honor their ceasefire commitments and pursue diplomatic solutions following renewed hostilities between Iran and Israel.

Regional tensions flare

The Chinese Embassy in Israel issued a security advisory urging citizens to remain vigilant and seek immediate shelter during air raid sirens, while the Indian Embassy in Tehran advised nationals to avoid travel to Iran and leave the country if already present. The warnings followed an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs late Sunday, which Tel Aviv claimed targeted a Hezbollah command center and killed two people while injuring 11 others. Iran responded with several missile barrages toward northern Israel — the first such bombardment since a fragile ceasefire took hold in early April.

Diplomatic impasse persists

Lin told reporters in Beijing that another escalation "does not serve any party's interests," calling on relevant sides to maintain negotiation momentum through diplomatic and political channels. "We hope that relevant parties honor their commitment of ceasefire," he said, stressing that dialogue remains essential for restoring regional peace and stability in the Middle East and Gulf region.

A temporary ceasefire mediated by Pakistan took effect on April 8, though negotiations later stalled amid disputes over its implementation and subsequent regional developments. Sunday's hostilities mark the first major breach of the truce, with at least two people killed and 11 others injured in the Israeli strike on Beirut, according to preliminary tolls.