China demanded an end to the Middle East war, citing its impact on global energy, shipping, and trade. The fighting has lasted nearly three weeks and shows no signs of slowing down.China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, stated that armed conflict is not a solution to problems and can only lead to hatred.

This was in response to a question about Beijing’s message for Muslim communities as Ramadan concludes.

Lin reiterated Beijing’s position that the “still widening war” in the Middle East affects all nations’ interests, urging all sides in the Gulf dispute to quit fighting and ensure uninterrupted oil flows.

The war caused years of upheaval and instability, creating a power vacuum that facilitated the formation of the Islamic State terrorist group. In a call on Friday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the French president’s top diplomatic counselor, Emmanuel Bonne, to end the illegal war.

The U.S.-Israeli war has varying effects on China. Analysts believe the dispute presents Beijing with a chance to establish itself as a more reliable superpower. However, increasing energy costs imperil manufacturing and could raise inflation if the dispute continues.

The uncertainty may undermine Chinese President Xi Jinping’s “Belt and Road” plan.

The project involves transporting Chinese commodities to export markets in the Gulf, North Africa, and Europe, contributing to reliance on external demand during stagnant domestic demand.

The war has delayed a meeting between Xi and Trump by approximately a month and a half. Trump’s China trip aimed to restore relations between the two economic powers, which had been strained by U.S. tariffs.