The Chinese side will strengthen strategic cooperation with Russia to resolve the situation in the Middle East, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Thursday.
“The Chinese side is ready to further strengthen strategic contact and cooperation with Russia, together defending international justice, regional peace, and playing a constructive role in resolving the current situation in the Middle East”, – Geng Shuang said at a briefing.
He added that the Chinese side is closely monitoring the development of the situation in the Middle East and maintains close contact with all parties involved, including that with Russia. Geng Shuang recalled that the other day, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, during which the parties exchanged views and verified their positions on cooperation within the UN Security Council.
“China and Russia are partners in comprehensive strategic cooperation and permanent members of the UN Security Council. The positions of Russia and China on important international and regional issues are very similar. The parties maintain close contact and interaction”, – the representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized.
On Wednesday night, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a retaliation operation for the assassination of General Qasem Soleimani as a result of the American special operation in Iraq. Land-to-ground missiles were fired from Iran at the Ein al-Assad base in western Iraq and the base in Erbil, where the US military contingent is located, who lead the international coalition against ISIS*. According to Washington, none of the US citizens was injured in the blow, only material damage was done.
The US President Donald Trump made an appeal to the nation on Wednesday, where he said that Washington would limit itself to introducing new sanctions and continuing the policy of maximum pressure on Iran. Media later reported that the US Permanent Representative to the UN, Kelly Kraft, sent a letter to the UN Security Council, in which she said that the US was ready for negotiations with Iran without preconditions to reduce tensions in the region.
*-Terrorist organization banned in Russia