China Condemns US-Israel Strikes on Iran, Evacuates Citizens Amidst Rising Tensions
Beijing has strongly condemned the recent US-Israel strikes on Iran, urging an immediate ceasefire as concerns mount over escalating conflict in the Middle East. The condemnation comes as China works to evacuate its citizens from the region, with reports of one Chinese national killed in Tehran.
China’s Official Stance
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has stated that the strikes by the United States and Israel are “unacceptable” and a violation of international law [Reuters]. He further emphasized that the “blatant attack and killing of a leader of a sovereign state and incitement to regime change are unacceptable,” during a phone call with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov [The Straits Times]. Beijing is deeply concerned that the fighting has spread throughout the Persian Gulf and “could push the situation in the Middle East towards a dangerous abyss” [The Straits Times].
Wang called for an immediate halt to military operations, a return to dialogue and negotiations, and for the international community to oppose unilateral military actions not authorized by the United Nations [The Straits Times].
Citizen Evacuations
Amidst the escalating violence, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on Monday, March 2nd, that one Chinese citizen has been killed in Tehran, with no further details released regarding the deceased [The Straits Times]. More than 3,000 Chinese nationals have been evacuated from Iran [The Straits Times].
Chinese embassies and consulates are assisting citizens in evacuating the country, with teams dispatched to border crossings in neighboring countries to provide assistance [The Straits Times]. The first batch of citizens were evacuated by land to southern Azerbaijan, with buses arranged to transport them to Baku [The Straits Times].
Evacuation routes have also been shared for citizens traveling to Turkmenistan, Armenia, Iraq, and Türkiye [The Straits Times]. Chinese citizens in Israel have been advised to evacuate to safe areas within Israel and avoid military units, sensitive institutions, and major transportation hubs [The Straits Times].
China’s Concerns and Regional Implications
China’s condemnation of the strikes reflects its broader concerns about regional stability and the potential for a wider conflict. The Strait of Hormuz is a particularly sensitive area for Beijing [NDTV]. China also expresses support for Iran’s right to defend its sovereignty [The Times of Israel].