China, ASEAN urge immediate end to Middle East conflict amid US-Iran war

Chinese and ASEAN foreign ministers have called for a "complete and immediate" end to hostilities in the Middle East amid the ongoing US-Iran war. In a joint statement released after a summit in Manila, the two sides said the "rapidly evolving situation" poses a grave threat to civilians and regional stability.

Call for Ceasefire Implementation

The ministers urged the US and Iran to ensure the "full and effective implementation of the ceasefire" by adhering strictly to the terms of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed last month. They called on the warring parties to exercise "utmost restraint" and to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Strait of Hormuz Navigation

The statement emphasised the importance of maintaining regional peace and stability, and called for the "safe, unimpeded, and continuous transit" of vessels through straits used for international navigation, in line with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The remarks come as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to disrupt global shipping.