In a series of phone conversations on Thursday, Beijing said that any actions by the United Nations Security Council should help de-escalate the situation in the Gulf region and the Middle East and avoid escalation of confrontations.

Security Council actions should help to ease tensions and end hostilities, and facilitate the resumption of talks, rather than endorsing illegal acts of war or adding fuel to the fire, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a phone conversation on Thursday with Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.

Bahrain is currently the rotating chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council's Supreme Council.

China is willing to work with Bahrain to help put an end to the conflict, restore peace in the Gulf region and the Middle East, and promote lasting stability in the region, Wang said on Thursday.

Al Zayani said Bahrain is willing to play a role through the UN Security Council to resolve the issue of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and it hopes to strengthen communication and coordination with China.

During a phone call with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Thursday, Wang noted that the conflict has lasted for more than a month, has caused massive casualties and losses, and has had an impact on the security and stability of Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, which China is concerned about.

The issue of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz "is a spillover effect of this military conflict", and the strait cannot remain secure as long as the fighting persists, he said.

Unauthorized military actions must not be legitimized or there will be endless consequences, and small and medium-sized countries will be the first to suffer, Wang added.

The Saudi foreign minister said his country hopes to strengthen communication and coordination with China on platforms such as the UN, in order to jointly work toward ending the conflict.

During a phone conversation with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Thursday, Wang said the military strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran "were not authorized by the UN Security Council and clearly violated international law".

As responsible major countries, China and Germany should uphold an objective and impartial stance, play a constructive role, and work to bring an end to the conflict as soon as possible and restore peace and stability in the region, he said.

In a phone conversation with Kaja Kallas, the high representative for foreign affairs and security policy of the European Commission, Wang noted that given the current turbulent international situation, it is the shared duty of China and the European Union to strengthen communication and cooperation and to uphold the international system centered on the UN and the international order based on international law.

China is willing to maintain communication and cooperation with the EU to promote an early end to the conflict and restore peace in the region, he said.

Earlier this week, China and Pakistan issued a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf region and the Middle East.

Observers said Beijing's latest efforts and comments for easing the situation show China's great sense of responsibility as a major country and a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Niu Xinchun, executive director of the China-Arab Research Institute at Ningxia University, said, "China has always been a champion of justice on the global stage and has consistently adhered to the fundamental principles and core spirit of the UN Charter.

"In the Middle East, China has pursued a balanced policy for many years and has maintained friendly relations with all major countries in the region. As a result, China's efforts to promote peace and dialogue have been welcomed and valued by various parties," he added.

In response to the latest comments by US President Donald Trump, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters on Thursday that the root cause of obstruction of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is illegal military operations against Iran by the US and Israel.

Only by achieving a ceasefire, bringing an end to the conflict and ensuring peace and stability in the Gulf region can the safety and smooth flow of international shipping lanes be fundamentally safeguarded, the spokeswoman said.

"All parties should work together to de-escalate the situation and prevent instability in the region from having a greater impact on the global economy and energy security," Mao added.

zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn