Wang Yi, China's Minister of Foreign Affairs, called the Iran war that began with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes "a war that should not have happened," urging an immediate cease-fire and a political resolution.
Wang Yi, director of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Office of the Communist Party of China and Minister of Foreign Affairs, said at a news conference on diplomacy during the National People's Congress of China on the morning of the 8th, "With the Middle East engulfed in the flames of war, what I want to say is that this is a war that should not have happened in the first place, and a war that benefits no one." He then stressed a cease-fire and an end to the fighting.
Director General Wang said, "History has repeatedly shown that force cannot solve problems," adding, "Armed conflict only breeds new hatred and new crises."
Director General Wang said, "Military action must stop immediately, and we must avoid the flames of war spreading outward," and he set out basic principles for resolving issues related to Iran and the Middle East: respect for national sovereignty, opposition to the abuse of force, noninterference in internal affairs, and a political solution.
He said, "Sovereignty is the foundation of the current international order, and the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of Iran and the countries in the Gulf region must all be respected." He went on, "Being strong in power does not necessarily mean being strong in reason," adding, "The world must not return to the jungle law of the strong preying on the weak." He also said, "All countries should return to the negotiating table as soon as possible and resolve conflicts through equal dialogue," and "Major countries, in particular, should play a constructive role."
Director General Wang, speaking ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China, emphasized cooperation on U.S.-China relations. He said, "Because China-U.S. relations have a major impact on the world, if the two countries do not engage with each other, misunderstandings and misjudgments will arise and could ultimately lead to confrontation and conflict," adding, "Both countries are major powers, so they cannot change each other, but they can change how they treat each other. Based on mutual respect, we should uphold the principle of peaceful coexistence and pursue cooperation and win-win outcomes."
He said communication between the two countries' leaders is playing an important role in stabilizing relations, noting, "The two leaders have maintained good exchanges at the highest level, which has provided an important strategic guarantee for improving and developing China-U.S. relations." He added, "This year will be an important year in China-U.S. relations," and, "If the two countries, based on sincerity and trust, expand the list of cooperation and reduce the list of problems, 2026 could become a symbolic year in which China-U.S. relations develop in a sound and stable manner."