Chinese FM talks to Israeli counterpart over phone

BEIJING -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke to his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa'ar, over the phone on Saturday.

In the phone call, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China firmly opposes Israel's use of force against Iran in violation of international law.

The immediate priority is to avoid conflict escalation, keep the region from falling into greater turmoil and return to diplomacy for resolving disputes, Wang said.

He added that there is still room for a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue as military means cannot deliver lasting peace.

China urged both Israel and Iran to resolve differences through dialogue and seek peaceful coexistence, Wang said, adding that China is willing to play a constructive role in supporting these efforts.