China has expressed concern on a possible intensification of conflict in the Gulf Region due to the ongoing tension between Middle East powerhouses Saudi Arabia and Iran.

In a news briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the Chinese government, like the international community, is deeply concerned about the developments in the Middle East.

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She added that China is highly concerned that the relevant event involving Saudi Arabia and Iran may intensify the conflict in the Middle East.

"We hope that relevant parties can maintain calm and restraint, property resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability," Hua told a regular news briefing.

She added that both countries should guarantee the dignity and safety of diplomatic personnel in their respective jurisdictions.

While China depends on the Middle East for the country's supplies of oil, the Chinese government leaves diplomacy issues in the region to other members of the United Nations Security Council, such as the United States, Russia, France, and Great Britain.

The tension between the two Middle East nations escalated when Saudi Arabia decided to cut its diplomatic relations with Iran in response to the storming of the Saudi Arabian embassy in Iran's capital, Tehran.

The storming was also in relation to Riyadh's execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a Shi'ite Muslim cleric who was known for being an outspoken opponent of the ruling family in Saudi, the Al Saudi family.

Saudi Arabia's decision to severe ties with Iran also prompted other countries in the Middle East to cut its diplomatic relations with Iran.

Bahrain's Minister of Media Affairs Isa al-Hamadi announced that it will also severe ties with Iran while the United Arab Emirates said it will downgrade its diplomatic relations with the Iranian government. 

TagsIran, China Middle East