Chinese President Xi Jinping called for an immediate end to hostilities in West Asia, saying the situation had reached a 'critical juncture' as he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing.
The talks came amid escalating regional tensions, with Xi stressing the need for negotiations to continue and renewed fighting in the Gulf and wider West Asia to be avoided.
Xi said an early end to the conflict would help ease disruptions to energy supplies, industrial and supply chains, and the international trade order.
The meeting is being closely watched as both China and Russia are key strategic partners of Iran, with close economic and military ties to Tehran.
Xi described the international situation as 'fluid and turbulent' and called for closer China-Russia coordination to make the global governance system 'more just and reasonable'.
