Dialogue only right path forward in Mideast: Envoy

China's ambassador to the United Nations briefed the Security Council on Tuesday to voice concerns over the situation in the Middle East and called for joint efforts to restore stability in the region at an early date.

Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, made the remarks while commenting on a Sunday drone attack on facilities at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates. Although the incident did not cause any casualties or affect radiation safety levels, this "dangerous and irresponsible act" has sounded the alarm for the international community, he said.

China expresses great concern over the incident, opposes armed attacks on nuclear facilities for peaceful purposes, and calls on all parties to abide by international law, including the Convention on Nuclear Safety, and to effectively safeguard the safety and security of nuclear power plants, Fu said.

The sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of countries in the Middle East and the Gulf must be fully respected, and civilians and nonmilitary objects should be protected, he said.

As long as the armed conflict continues, the safety risks it poses to regional nuclear facilities will persist, he said.

The war originated from the illegal military attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran, Fu said. Since its outbreak, the conflict has inflicted severe losses on the people across the region, severely disrupted global economic development and harmed the shared interests of the international community.

"This war should never have happened in the first place. To find an early way to resolve the situation is in the interest of not only the US and Iran, but also regional countries and the rest of the world," Fu said.

"I wish to make three points," he said. First, there is a strong call for cessation of hostilities, and any resumption of fighting must be avoided. For some time now, the US and Iran have, on the whole, maintained a ceasefire, but the risk of escalation remains.

"At this critical stage between war and peace, all parties must exercise maximum restraint, uphold the ceasefire arrangements, refrain from irresponsible threatening rhetoric and military adventurism, and make efforts to prevent a relapse into conflict and further escalation of tensions," he said.

Second, military means offer no way out, and dialogue and negotiation are the only right path forward. The recent US-Iran truce and efforts to explore resolving issues through negotiation are welcomed by regional countries and the international community.

Political solution

"China encourages both sides to stay committed to a political solution and to continue settling their differences and disputes through negotiation, including on the nuclear issue, with a view to reaching a solution that accommodates the concerns of all parties," Fu said.

China commends Pakistan for its mediation efforts and supports all parties in reaching a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire as soon as possible, he added.

Third, priority should be given to solving pressing issues and preventing the spread of negative effects."The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is a demonstration of the spillover of the conflict," Fu said.

"Disruptions to this vital shipping lane have severely affected global supply chains, international trade order and energy security, with countries of the Global South bearing significant livelihood costs," he said.

China calls for reopening the strait as soon as possible on the basis of a continued ceasefire, Fu said.

Since the outbreak of the conflict, China has been actively working to end hostilities and promote peace, he said. China will continue to work with the international community to play a constructive role in bringing an early end to hostilities and restoring peace and development in the Middle East, he added.