Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that his country is “deeply concerned” by the “sudden escalation” of tensions in the Middle East caused by Israel’s military action against Iran, according to a report on Tuesday by the state-run Xinhua news agency.

In his first public comment on the Iran–Israel conflict since it erupted on Friday, Xi said that China — a key diplomatic and economic backer of Iran — opposes “any acts that violate the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity” of other countries.

“Military conflict is not a way to resolve problems, and the escalation of regional tensions is not in the common interest of the international community,” Xi stated during a meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

Xi is in Astana for the second China–Central Asia Summit.

He emphasized that all parties should work toward de-escalating the conflict as soon as possible and that China is willing to cooperate with all sides “to play a constructive role in restoring peace and stability” in the region.