Dare Babalola
*China to Provide Humanitarian Aid to Iran, Lebanon Amidst Ongoing Conflict*
China has announced it will provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Middle Eastern countries, including Iran and Lebanon, affected by the US and Israeli strikes in the now three-week conflict.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, on Tuesday stated that the aid aims to alleviate the humanitarian plight faced by local populations.
Beijing is a close partner of Iran and has urged the United States and Israel to cease their attacks on the country, while also criticising Tehran’s strikes against Gulf states housing US military bases.
He said during a press conference, “China has decided to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq. It is hoped this will help alleviate the humanitarian plight faced by the local populations.
“China will continue to make every effort to promote peace and stop the war… and to prevent further spreading of the humanitarian crisis.”
China has sought to mediate in the war, with its special envoy to the Middle East, Zhai Jun, urging de-escalation when he recently met Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister for talks.
China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, has also said that the war “should never have happened” and called for an end to fighting.
The humanitarian aid announcement came after US President Donald Trump said he would delay a planned visit to Beijing.
Trump, who postponed his planned visit to Beijing due to the war, according to the White House, has also pressured China to help Washington reopen th Strait of Hormuz.
The vital sea passage, through which a fifth of global oil supplies normally pass, was effectively closed by Iran in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes.
