Ministry of Defense Spokesperson Focuses on Middle East Issues

[Global Times Report, Reporter Guo Yuandan] At the routine press conference held by the Ministry of Defense on the afternoon of the 26th, the reporter from the Global Times deeply felt the intensity of the Middle East topic, with a total of six questions related to the Middle East, each from different angles. Colonel Jiang Bin, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Defense's News Bureau and spokesperson, was well-prepared to respond with reasoned and evidence-based answers, allowing the outside world to feel China's proactive attitude in promoting peace talks and pushing for a ceasefire.

Before the official start of the press conference, reporters were asking each other about their concerns, and it was expected that the situation in the Middle East would be the focal point of attention.

For Chinese media, everyone focused on the main theme of "promoting peace talks," striving to gather more information from the spokesperson. A question from a reporter from Phoenix TV sitting next to the Global Times reporter was: "The situation in the Middle East has been tense recently, and the U.S. has repeatedly suggested that China send ships to the Strait of Hormuz for escort. Has China received an invitation from the U.S.?" In response, Jiang Bin stated that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and its surrounding waters has been tense recently, impacting international goods and energy trade routes, undermining regional and global peace and stability. The key to resolving the current crisis lies in all parties immediately ceasing military actions and quickly returning to the dialogue and negotiation track to avoid further escalation and deterioration of the situation.

The conflict in the Middle East is spreading and its impact is accelerating, especially if nuclear facilities are targeted, which would lead to immeasurable severe consequences. Therefore, the Global Times reporter focused on "external concerns about the escalation of conflict triggering a nuclear disaster." In this regard, Jiang Bin expressed, "We call on all parties to immediately stop military actions, resolve conflicts and differences through equal dialogue, prevent the spread of war, and avoid further escalation of the situation. China will continue to make positive efforts to ease the situation and restore peace."

A reporter mentioned, "The Israeli Defense Minister stated that he and Prime Minister Netanyahu have authorized the military to kill any Iranian senior officials listed as targets without needing approval." Jiang Bin refuted this by stating that such remarks and actions seriously violate international law and go against human conscience and morality. From the assassination of foreign leaders to indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets, reliance on force does not bring security but only leads to a deeper cycle of hatred and intensified conflict. "We urge the relevant parties to immediately stop military actions to avoid causing greater disasters to the Middle East and the world."

Foreign media inquired whether China's "Liaowang-1" maritime comprehensive surveillance ship is currently near the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Jiang Bin straightforwardly stated, "This is false information."

Throughout the press conference, Jiang Bin clearly expressed China's consistent stance on issues concerning the Middle East: always standing on the side of peace, insisting on promoting peace talks, opposing the abuse of force, opposing the escalation of conflict, and firmly maintaining international law and regional peace and stability.