Wang Yi said China is willing to continue cooperating with Russia at the United Nations Security Council to help cool tensions in the Middle East, during a phone call with Sergei Lavrov on Sunday.

Wang said the fundamental solution to navigation issues in the Strait of Hormuz is to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible, adding that China has consistently advocated resolving hotspot issues through dialogue and negotiation.

UN Vote in Focus

The call came ahead of a planned UN Security Council vote next week on a Bahraini resolution aimed at protecting commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

As permanent members of the council, China and Russia should adopt an “objective and balanced approach” and seek broader international support, Wang said, according to a statement from China’s foreign ministry.

Aligned Positions

A statement from Russia’s foreign ministry said both sides discussed ways to achieve a rapid ceasefire and launch a “political-diplomatic dialogue”.

It added that there was alignment between Moscow and Beijing on key global issues, including the situation involving Iran, which it described in the context of actions by the United States and Israel.

Call for De-escalation

China has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the Gulf region and the wider Middle East, urging an end to hostilities that have persisted for more than a month.

The conflict has largely disrupted activity in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas shipments.

(with inputs from Reuters)