China on Wednesday called for all efforts to be made to prevent a renewed outbreak of conflict in the Middle East after US President Donald Trump announced an extension of a ceasefire with Iran.

At a regular news briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said the region is now at a critical stage, standing at the crossroads between war and peace, and that the immediate priority remains preventing the conflict from reigniting.

Guo said China supports relevant parties in continuing to settle disputes through political and diplomatic channels so as to achieve a comprehensive and durable ceasefire and maintain peace and stability in the Middle East and the Gulf region.