Beijing, China - During talks with Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated that Beijing is willing to "safeguard" Iran's rights.
Wang again called for Beijing to be allowed to mediate between Iran and the US during peace negotiations, and reiterated that China is "willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with Iran, and safeguard Iran's legitimate rights and interests."
"We encourage Iran and the US to stay rational and restrained," Wang told Araghchi as they met in Beijing on Wednesday.
The talks come one week before an expected trip by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington, where he will meet President Donald Trump.
China, a top economic partner of Iran, has long sought a detente in the months-long conflict in the Middle East, which has spilled over into neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
"We do not wish to see regional tensions spilling over into Yemen and the Red Sea," Wang declared.
Recent fighting that flared up in Yemen between government forces and the Iran-backed Houthis has displaced more than 100,000 people inside the country while thousands have fled abroad, according to the United Nations.
The war in Iran will be a closely watched topic at Xi's meeting with Trump, among other thorny issues ranging from trade to competition over artificial intelligence.
Beijing refuted this week US media reports that Chinese entities supplied Tehran with satellite images of a military base housing US troops in Jordan, before and after an Iranian strike killed three American soldiers.
Trump also came to China's defense over the issue, telling reporters: "You know, when they say that China spies on us, I say you're right, and we spy on them too."