German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned Iran today, Sunday, against launching further attacks on Israel as the escalating conflict in the Middle East casts a shadow over his three-day tour in China. Scholz is visiting the city of Chongqing in southwest China, as well as Shanghai and Beijing, to strengthen relations with Germany's largest trading partner while also addressing growing disagreements over issues such as Chinese trade practices and Beijing's support for Russia.
A source from the German delegation reported that Scholz would participate from his hotel in a video meeting with leaders of the Group of Seven industrialized countries on Sunday to discuss the Iranian attack on Israel. Before the visit, German officials expressed hope that Beijing could play a positive role in calming the increasing tensions in the Middle East, despite their criticism of China for supporting Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.
Scholz is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday. He told reporters, "We will do our utmost to prevent further escalation... We can only warn everyone, especially Iran, against continuing in this way." A spokesperson for Scholz stated that the Chancellor condemned the Iranian strikes on Israel "in the strongest possible terms" upon his arrival in China.
