China supports Iran in safeguarding sovereignty: FM

Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China supports Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. Wang made the remarks in a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Monday. Wang said Beijing has urged the United States and Israel to immediately cease military operations, avoid further escalation of tensions and prevent the conflict from spreading across the Middle East region. In a phone conversation with his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot, Wang expressed the hope that France will work with China to promote de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East and jointly uphold the basic norms of international relations. And in phone talks with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Wang said the urgent priority for the region is to immediately halt military operations and prevent the conflict from further spilling over. (Reporting by Xinhua) Edited by Edmond Fong