China calls for steps to cool down Middle East situation

China urged on Sunday all parties concerned, especially Israel, to immediately take actions to cool down the situation and prevent the conflict from escalating or even spiraling out of control after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in the Israeli airstrikes on Beirut.

"China is closely following the incident and is deeply concerned over the escalation of tensions in the region," Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a statement.

"China opposes the infringement on Lebanon's sovereignty and security, opposes and condemns any action against innocent civilians, and opposes any move that fuels antagonism and escalates regional tensions," the statement said.

Noting the tension between Lebanon and Israel is a spillover of the Gaza conflict, the spokesperson said the pressing priority is to "implement relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, end the fighting in Gaza as soon as possible, and earnestly safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East."