The conflict between Israel and Iran continues, with the US stating on the 21st US Eastern Time that it has completed the 'thorough elimination' of three Iranian nuclear facilities. In response, on the 23rd in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated during a meeting with former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair that Israel used a 'potential future threat' as a pretext to launch a preemptive strike on Iran, and the US military’s bombing of nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards supervision sends the world the wrong signal and sets a vicious precedent with serious consequences.
According to the website of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi said during the meeting that the world today is undergoing unprecedented changes not seen in a century, yet some major powers betray international responsibility and place their own interests above those of the international community. As permanent members of the UN Security Council and major global nations, China and the UK should fulfill international obligations, demonstrate responsibility, and strive for world peace and development.
Wang Yi stated that last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and UK Prime Minister Starmer had successive phone calls and meetings, guiding China-UK relations back onto the right track of improvement and development. China values the UK's proposal to pursue a consistent, lasting, and mutually respectful China policy, and is willing to work with the UK to implement the important consensus reached by the two leaders, increase exchanges in various fields, strengthen mutual understanding, and promote the healthy and stable development of China-UK relations.
According to the Chinese news release, Blair stated that the world faces many challenges today, and greater coordination is needed to respond together. Isolating China is destined to fail; the world should seek to better understand China. UK-China relations are very important, and both sides should strengthen dialogue and exchanges at all levels of government and across society, carry out broad mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the sustained and positive development of bilateral relations.
In addition, regarding the Israel-Iran conflict, Wang Yi stated that disagreements between countries should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and consultation. Israel's preemptive strike on Iran under the pretext of a 'potential future threat', and the US military aircraft bombing Iranian nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards, sends the world the wrong signal of resolving disputes through force rather than negotiation, sets a vicious precedent, and has serious consequences.
Wang Yi emphasized that peace needs to be defended by strength, but strength does not necessarily bring true peace. All parties to the conflict should take measures to de-escalate, return to the political track of dialogue and negotiation, and promote the restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East.
Blair said that the UK is highly concerned about the Israel-Iran conflict and calls for returning to the track of negotiation through dialogue and diplomatic means as soon as possible to restore regional peace, security, and stability.