China's Xi says rule of law must be upheld

The international rule of law must be upheld for peace and stability to prevail in the Middle East, China's President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday, in a rebuke of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.



While Beijing has repeatedly criticised the U.S.-Israeli campaign as illegal, Xi has made few public comments about the conflict.



He will hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in an expected meeting in Beijing next month.



The rule of law cannot be "used when convenient and discarded when not", Xi told Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the visiting crown prince of Abu Dhabi.



The visit comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East after weekend talks between Washington and Tehran failed to reach a deal to end the war.



Since the war erupted in late February, Iran has effectively shut the key Strait of Hormuz shipping route to vessels it deems from unfriendly nations.



On Monday, the U.S. military began a blockade of Iran's ports, accusing Iran of "economic terrorism".



Oil shipments from Gulf states including the UAE through the strait have plunged since the war started.



Tehran has also launched missile and drone strikes on energy infrastructure in neighbouring Gulf nations, including the UAE.