China is likely to remain cautious about intervening in the escalating Israel-Iran conflict even if the US engages militarily, a prospect that would bring mixed results for Beijing, according to observers.
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Speculation over US intervention has grown since last Friday, following Israel’s most intense strikes on Iran in decades. Washington has since sent an aircraft carrier from the South China Sea and deployed a large number of fighter and tanker aircraft to the Middle East.
US President Donald Trump was also reportedly considering military action to target Iran’s nuclear facilities. He recently demanded the “unconditional surrender” of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling him an “easy target”.
On Wednesday, China’s foreign ministry expressed “serious concerns” over the escalating conflict and urged countries who had “special influence” over Israel – an apparent reference to the US – to play a “constructive role” to ease tensions.
“[China] opposes any behaviour that violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and infringes upon the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of other countries,” said ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun.
“Further escalation of tensions in the Middle East is not in the interests of any party. Countries that have a special influence on Israel should, in particular, uphold an objective and fair position and assume their due responsibilities, and play a positive and constructive role in easing the situation and preventing spillover of the conflict.”
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Beijing, which has close ties with Tehran, has also said that it was willing to broker peace between Iran and Israel.