Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on March 5, 2026

CGTN: U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran have ratcheted up regional tensions. What has China done to engage with various parties and deescalate the situation? What else will China do in the future?

Mao Ning: China is gravely concerned over the tense situation in the Middle East. Over the past few days, China has intensively reached out to various parties. Foreign Minister Wang Yi had phone calls with his counterparts from Russia, Iran, Oman, France, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE for in-depth exchanges of views on regional situation. He stressed that purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be observed and arbitrary use of force in international relations should be rejected. He pointed out that the military operations must stop at once, early return to dialogue and negotiation must be achieved, and further escalation of the tensions and spread of the conflict must be avoided. He called on parties to the conflict to earnestly fulfill their international obligations, ensure civilians' safety, and avoid any attack against civilian facilities.

The protraction and escalation of the conflict serves no one's interest. China believes that war and force cannot solve issues once and for all, dialogue and negotiation are the right solutions, and political and diplomatic settlement of disputes and differences should be upheld. China will continue to work with all parties, including parties to the conflict, to maintain communication, further engage with other parties, and build consensus. China will send Zhai Jun, Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue, to the Middle East soon to work actively for the deescalation of the tensions.

EFE: On China's plan to send a special envoy to the Middle East, I have a question: when does China plan to send its special envoy on Middle East affairs to the region, and what mandate will he have for the mediation efforts?

Mao Ning: Information on the specifics of the visit of the Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue will be released in due course. Please check back for updates.

Bloomberg: Police in the UK arrested three men accused of helping China's spies. One of them is married to a sitting Labor Member of Parliament. Would the Ministry like to comment about this?

Mao Ning: We always oppose peddling the so-called "China spy" narrative, smearing China and misleading public opinion.

Reuters: Yesterday the Philippine government said it had apprehended some of its citizens on suspicion of spying for China in what it calls a serious national security matter for the Philippines. The Philippines said that the operations of these individuals have been terminated. What's the Ministry's response to this claim and the actions the Philippines has taken?

Mao Ning: It seems that some people have been enthusiastic about peddling so-called "China spy" narratives. Let me stress that we reject ill-intentioned association and politically motivated presumption of guilt in the absence of detailed information on the case and clear evidence.

AFP: About the war in the Middle East. According to Bloomberg News, China has asked its largest oil refiner to stop exporting diesel and gasoline as the conflict raises some concerns about energy supplies. Can you confirm that China has asked it's oil refiners to stop their exports?

Mao Ning: I am not aware of you mentioned.