Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, met in Beijing last month to review the situation in the Gulf and Middle East Region.
As a result of the meeting, the two sides were able to ask for an immediate cessation of hostilities to prevent the conflict from spreading. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to all war-affected areas.
The following was also agreed to in the peace talks, as soon as possible, to also deal with the Sovereignty, territorial integrity, national independence, and security of Iran and the Gulf states should be safeguarded.
The members also agreed that “dialogue and diplomacy are the only viable options to resolve conflicts. China and Pakistan support the relevant parties in initiating talks, with all parties committing to a peaceful resolution of disputes, and refraining from the use or the threat of use of force during peace talks.”
The communique also stated that the security of nonmilitary targets, with the principle of protecting civilians in military conflict, should be observed. China and Pakistan call on parties to the conflict to immediately stop attacks on civilians and nonmilitary targets, and fully adhere to International Humanitarian Law (IHL), and stop attacking important infrastructure, including energy, desalination, and power facilities, and peaceful nuclear infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants.
Also, the security of shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, together with its adjacent waters, is an important global shipping route for goods and energy. China and Pakistan call on the parties to protect the security of ships and crew members stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, allow the early and safe passage of civilian and commercial ships, and restore normal passage through the Strait as soon as possible.
According to the members, “Primacy of the United Nations Charter, China and Pakistan call for efforts to practice true multilateralism, to jointly strengthen the primacy of the U.N., and to support the conclusion of an agreement for establishing a comprehensive peace framework and realizing lasting peace based on the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and international law.”