Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday warned that the escalating and expanding conflict in the Middle East is harming the shared interests of all countries and urged all parties to immediately halt military operations.

In a phone conversation with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Wang said there would be no winners if the war drags on, adding that a ceasefire and an end to hostilities reflect the common aspiration of the international community.

He noted that the ongoing conflict is not only undermining regional peace and stability, but is also directly affecting international energy, finance, trade, and shipping.

China calls on all parties to resolve their differences through dialogue on an equal footing and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the region, he said.

As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and Britain share responsibility for upholding international peace and security, Wang said.

He called on the two countries to strengthen communication, act in ways conducive to peace, jointly uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations, and prevent further damage to the international order and the foundations of global peace.

Cooper briefed Wang on British views on the current situation in the Middle East, saying that in the face of a more turbulent world, Britain hopes to maintain close communication with China, promote an early end to the fighting, resume diplomatic negotiations, and seek a long-term solution.

The two sides also exchanged views on bilateral relations and agreed on the need to actively implement the common understandings reached by the two countries' leaders, enhance exchanges, and continue advancing the long-term, consistent comprehensive strategic partnership, so as to provide greater stability and certainty to a world marked by turbulence and transformation.