China's Xi urges BRICS nations to work towards peace in the Middle East

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, China's President Xi Jinping arrives before the start of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12, 2026. (Photo by Alexander KAZAKOV / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)Alexander Kazakov | Afp | Getty ImagesThe BRICS bloc should work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Middle East, Chinese President Xi Jinping said, adding that his country is willing to play a key role."The situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region continues to evolve in a complex manner. This conflict has caused severe losses to the people of the region and is not in the common interest of the international community," Xi said in a speech at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday."All relevant parties should adhere to the direction of a political solution and promote a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire. We must attach importance to addressing the root causes of the problems," Xi said in a Google translation of a transcript of the speech provided by the Chinese government.Xi added that the Palestinian question has always been at the core of the Middle East issue and stressed the importance of implementing the...