China cautions US, Iran against war

Lu Kang

China has told the United States and Iran that war has grave consequences.

The warning comes after tensions and threats between the two countries point to a looming war.

While meeting journalists from Asia Pacific, Latin America and Africa in Beijing, the capital of China, the spokesperson of the Chinese foreign affairs minister, Lu Kang, said the two warring countries should exercise restraint.

"China never likes a war no matter where it happens in the world because it will cause heavy loses of lives and property. The world is now paying attention to the current tensions in the Gulf region; of course, we hope the two sides (US and Iran) will exercise restraint," Lu Kang said.

The US-Iran diplomatic relations have been rocky since the early 80s. In the 90s US imposed sanctions and trade embargo against Iran until the Obama administration led successful negotiations for a nuclear deal intended to dismantle Iran's nuclear weapons plans.

Tension rose again between the two countries last year when President Donald Trump breached the Obama-negotiated joint comprehensive plan of action (JPCA) and re-imposed sanctions against Iran.

Matters reached boiling point recently when Iran shot down a US Navy drone, which they said was flying in its airspace.

China blames the tensions on the US' investment pressure campaign.

"The root cause of these tensions nowadays is the investment pressure campaign initiated by the US. Of course, we also call on the Iranian side to exercise restraint and do not further breach the (JCPA)," Lu Kang explained.

China-US relations have also been deteriorating with Trump administration waging a trade war against the second largest economy in the world.

US banned Huawei's products and services within its market. Huawei is a Chinese multi-national technology company credited for world's first class technology and 5G devices.

Because of the escalating tensions between the US and Iran, the US-China trade war seems to have been put aside for now.

China, however, urged US administration and Iran to pay attention to the repercussions of wars because the world economy may be affected.

"If there is such a war, the world economy will be severely undermined and it will not benefit the US leader," Lu Kang said.