China will maintain close communication with all parties concerned and make unremitting efforts to ease tensions and promote regional peace and stability, he said. In a separate briefing, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian cautioned that the use of force would only lead to a "vicious cycle" and that the war should not have been started. "Should the hostilities continue to spread and intensify, the entire region will be plunged into chaos," he said. China is relatively better positioned to absorb higher oil prices with coal accounting for about 60% of its energy mix, ample oil stockpiles and imports via the Strait of Hormuz, representing only around 5% of total energy consumption. Still, rising oil and gas prices could lift inflation and end producer price deflation, according to the chief China economist.

Source: The Express Tribune March 24, 2026 01:18 UTC