China, UK pledge to work to defuse Middle East tensions

China is ready to work with the United Kingdom and other parties to promote talks and help restore peace and stability in the Middle East as soon as possible, Zhai Jun, the Chinese government's special envoy on the Middle East issue, said on Thursday during a meeting in Beijing with the UK Ambassador to China Peter Wilson.

Zhai said China was closely following the latest developments on Iran and hoped the parties concerned would heed international calls for peace and ceasefire, seeking a way out through dialogue and negotiation.

Wilson said the UK and China, both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, held aligned positions on restoring regional peace and stability.

The UK is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China on easing the crisis and restoring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, he added.