China welcomes int'l participation in initiative on Gulf region and Middle East

BEIJING - The China-Pakistan initiative on the Gulf and Middle East region is open, and all countries and international organizations are welcome to respond to and participate in it, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Wednesday.

China and Pakistan put forward a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region during talks between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing on Tuesday.

The five points are: immediate cessation of hostilities, starting peace talks as soon as possible, ensuring the security of nonmilitary targets and shipping lanes, and safeguarding the primacy of the United Nations Charter.

One month into the US-Israeli war with Iran, its spillover effects have continued to spread, dealing an increasingly severe blow to regional and global peace and stability, Mao said at a regular news briefing.

These spillover effects have caused extensive disruptions to the stability of global energy supplies, the unimpeded operations of industrial and supply chains, and the development of the world economy, she said, adding this is not in the interest of regional countries and the wider world.

As important countries in the Global South, China and Pakistan have voiced a rational and just position in the hope of building up greater consensus and pooling stronger efforts in the international community to contribute to easing the current tense situation, and restoring peace and tranquility in the Gulf and the Middle East region at an early date, she said.

"China will continue to maintain close communication with Pakistan and all relevant parties to play a constructive role in promoting a ceasefire and ending the hostilities," the spokesperson noted.