Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned on Thursday that the conflict in the Middle East is spreading and escalating, emphasizing that any attack on nuclear facilities would have incalculable consequences and plunge people across the region into deeper suffering.

Wang made the remarks during a meeting in Beijing with Rafael Mariano Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

He stated that only an immediate ceasefire and a return to dialogue and negotiation can truly address the root causes of the conflict.

History has repeatedly shown that resorting to force is not the right path, Wang said, warning against a spiral of confrontation in the Middle East that could further undermine regional stability and world peace.

He also said that when some countries trample on rules in the name of strength, replace cooperation with bullying, and weaken the international system centered on the United Nations, the world faces the real risk of sliding back toward the "law of the jungle".

Wang reaffirmed China's firm commitment to multilateralism, safeguarding the authority and standing of the United Nations Charter, and working to reinvigorate and strengthen the UN while promoting a more just and equitable global governance system.

Noting the IAEA plays an important role in global nuclear governance, he said China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with the agency, safeguard the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and make joint efforts for peace.

Grossi said the IAEA is willing to deepen communication and coordination with China to address hotspot issues and promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, while jointly safeguarding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and maintaining world peace and stability.