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China’s Xi demands end to ‘external interference’ in Mideast
Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday that “external interference” in the Middle East should be opposed as the United States with the help of some regional countries continues its aggression against Iran.
“We must uphold the principle that the people of the Middle East are the masters of their own affairs, oppose external interference (and) support regional countries in strengthening dialogue on peace and security,” Xi told Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during his first visit to Egypt in a decade.
The Chinese president was referring to the US war on Iran, which has failed to reach any of its objectives.
Washington has now turned to sanctions to exert more pressure on the Islamic Republic.
On August 19, US President Donald Trump announced what he called the “most crushing economic operation” against Iran, claiming that Tehran would face “economic warfare and isolation on an unprecedented scale”.
He also threatened sanctions against any country that does business with Iran.
China, a major buyer of Iranian oil, has vowed to safeguard its interests.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry rejected Washington’s expanding pressure campaign and called for an immediate end to unilateral measures.
“Cooperation between China and Iran has always been conducted within the framework of international law and should not be interfered with or disrupted,” the ministry said.
“China has already stated many times that it firmly opposes illegal unilateral sanctions … China will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its own rights and interests.”
Xi also said during talks with Sisi that Beijing was willing to help protect maritime shipping from the energy-rich region, upended since US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February triggered the war.
“China stands ready to work with countries in the region to safeguard the security of international shipping lanes, advance development cooperation... and eliminate the breeding grounds for conflict,” Xi said.