BEIJING – Chinese officials confirmed Monday that one of their citizens died in Tehran amid escalating Middle East violence, while Beijing has successfully evacuated over 3,000 nationals from Iran.
The fatality occurred as tensions exploded following weekend strikes by U.S. and Israeli forces that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran responded with retaliatory attacks targeting Israel and Gulf nations where American military installations are located.
During a routine press conference, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning explained that diplomatic missions in surrounding nations have established working committees to receive and support evacuated citizens, though she provided no details about plans for their return to China.
Ning revealed that Beijing received no advance warning about Washington’s military operations against Iran.
The spokesperson also pushed back against reports suggesting Iran and China were nearing an agreement for supersonic anti-ship missile purchases, stating China remains a responsible major power that “always fulfilled its international obligations.”
Ning repeated Beijing’s condemnation of the strikes and Khamenei’s killing, calling on all involved nations to halt military operations immediately to avoid further escalation.
The Chinese official emphasized that Gulf states’ sovereignty, security and territorial boundaries must be completely respected, adding that China supports enhanced dialogue between nations in the region.
