China Prepares Humanitarian Aid for Iran and Three Middle Eastern Countries

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian expressed China's commitment to helping the countries most affected by the war in the Middle East. (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

JAKARTA - China announced that it would provide emergency humanitarian aid to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq amid the war, which has now entered its third week.

According to The Straits Times as reported on Tuesday, March 17, the announcement was made by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian on March 17. He said the war had caused "serious humanitarian disasters" in Iran and other Middle Eastern countries.

"China has decided to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq. It is hoped that this step will help alleviate the humanitarian suffering faced by the local community," Lin said at a press conference.

Lin added that China would continue to promote peace, stop wars, and prevent humanitarian crises from spreading.

The Straits Times reported that China has long been known as Iran's close partner. Beijing has urged the United States and Israel to stop attacking Iran. However, at the same time, China also criticized Tehran's attacks on the Gulf countries, which are the location of US military bases.

The same report said China was also trying to take a diplomatic role. China's special envoy to the Middle East, Zhai Jun, recently met with the Saudi Foreign Minister and called for de-escalation. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also said the war should never have happened and urged the fighting to stop immediately.

The announcement of this aid came after US President Donald Trump postponed a previously planned visit to Beijing. According to The Straits Times, Washington is also pressing China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, an important sea route that usually carries about a fifth of the world's oil supplies.

The strait was effectively closed by Iran in response to the US and Israeli attacks.