China wants to reduce tensions in the Middle East with Russia

China is willing to continue cooperating with Russia in the UN Security Council and making efforts to calm the situation in the Middle East, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a phone call on Sunday.

Wang said the basic way to resolve the Hormuz Strait shipping problems is to reach a ceasefire as soon as possible, adding that China has always advocated a political solution to the disputed issues through dialogue and negotiation.

The foreign ministers' phone call came ahead of next week's UN Security Council vote on Bahrain's resolution to protect commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

A statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry said the ministers discussed ways to reach a quick ceasefire and "start a political-diplomatic dialogue".

China has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the Gulf region and the Middle East and urged an end to the fighting, which has lasted more than a month and has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz as a key sea route.

(reuters)