Beijing said on Tuesday it was concerned about the diplomatic row between Iran and Saudi Arabia and called on the two countries to exercise restraint.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying (華春瑩) said the situation in the Middle East was “complex and uncertain”, and that the relevant countries should resolve their differences through dialogue and promote regional stability.
“We have noticed that many countries of the international community have expressed similar concerns and positions,” Hua said.
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Saudi Arabia cut off diplomatic relations with Iran on Sunday in response to the storming of its embassy in Tehran in an escalating row over Riyadh’s execution of Shiite Muslim cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, an outspoken opponent of the ruling Al Saudi family.
He was put to death along with 46 others said to be involved in al-Qaeda attacks that killed dozens in 2003 and 2004.
Three Sunni-led countries – Bahrain, Sudan and the United Arab Emirates – also severed or downgraded ties with Iran.
The diplomatic spat comes as Beijing is stepping up engagement with countries in the Middle East.