China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, urged on Wednesday to avoid further casualties and losses in the war ravaging the Middle East and promised China's mediation efforts to facilitate a ceasefire. Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, made these statements during a meeting with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, special envoy of the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to China, in Beijing, Argentina News Agency (NA) learned. Conveying the cordial greetings of President Xi Jinping to President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Wang stated that under the strategic guidance of both heads of state, the relations between China and the UAE have experienced considerable progress. Amid the unprecedented changes taking place at an accelerated pace, the fluid and turbulent international situation, and the alarming war in the Middle East, the relations between China and the UAE acquire an even greater strategic importance. Wang affirmed that timely strategic communication and the strengthening of strategic mutual trust between both parties are increasingly important, as they contribute to the prompt achievement of peace and stability in the Middle East. He added that China is willing to intensify high-level exchanges with the United Arab Emirates, deepen the alignment of development strategies, and promote the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the UAE to a higher level. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak conveyed the sincere greetings of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to President Xi, highlighting that the relations between the United Arab Emirates and China have reached an unprecedented level. The United Arab Emirates consider China a true, reliable, and trustworthy friend, and are confident in its future development, stated Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak. He also indicated that the United Arab Emirates are willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, deepen cooperation in education, culture, energy, and the economy, among other areas, as well as to promote the development of bilateral relations. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak also informed about the latest developments in the Middle East. Reiterating China's principled positions, Wang expressed his gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for their efforts to ensure the security of Chinese citizens and institutions. He emphasized that this war should never have happened and that there is no need for it to continue, calling to avoid further casualties and losses.
China firmly supports the United Arab Emirates in safeguarding their sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, condemns attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, and will continue its efforts to mediate a ceasefire and the end of hostilities, so that peace and stability are restored in the Middle East as soon as possible, affirmed Wang.
