China warns of ‘vicious cycle’ if war escalates in Middle East

BEIJING: China on Monday urged all parties involved ​in the Middle East ‌conflict affecting the Strait of Hormuz to end military ​operations to prevent a “vicious ​cycle” and return to negotiations.

“Should ⁠hostilities continue to escalate ​and the situation deteriorate further, ​the entire region will be plunged into chaos,” the Chinese ​foreign ministry spokesperson Lin ​Jian said when responding to a ‌question ⁠about US President Donald Trump pressuring Iran to reopen the key shipping waterway.

“The ​use of ​force ⁠will only lead to a vicious cycle,” ​he said adding ​that ⁠the war should not have begun in the first ⁠place.