The Chinese leader said his country opposes "any act that infringes upon the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of other countries."

China has begun evacuating its citizens from Israel and Iran and was pushing for a ceasefire in the conflict between the two Middle Eastern foes on Tuesday as clashes carried into a fifth day. China's foreign ministry said embassies and consulates have been offering assistance to those seeking to evacuate since the outbreak of fighting,

China warned the Iran-Israel conflict may spread wider instability in the Middle East, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaching out to both countries as their days-old conflict shows no end in sight.