Mao Ning
China has stated that it is willing to intervene between Pakistan and Iran following an exchange of fire on terrorist targets along their border, including a strike that Tehran claims killed at least seven civilians.
“The Chinese side sincerely hopes that the two sides can exercise calm and restraint and avoid an escalation of tension”, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated at a regular press conference.
“We are also willing to play a constructive role in de-escalating the situation if both sides so wish”, the spokesperson noted.
Nuclear-armed Pakistan and adjacent Iran are both fighting simmering insurgencies along their sparsely populated border areas.
Pakistan announced Thursday that it has undertaken military attacks against militant targets in Iran.
Tehran announced that it has summoned Pakistan’s charge d’affaires in response to the attack, which killed at least seven people.
Both nations are staunch allies of Beijing and members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
Mao reaffirmed that Iran and Pakistan were friendly countries to China and countries with significant influence.
Also read: Taiwan Claims Detected 18 Chinese Planes In First Military Activity Following Elections
