China rejects US criticism, urges 'end to military operations' in Middle East

China rejects US criticism, urges 'end to military operations' in Middle East China has pushed back against criticism from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, with a spokesperson at the Chinese embassy blaming global fuel shortages on instability in the Middle East. Liu Pengyu, speaking to Reuters, said “the tense situation in the Middle East” was driving disruptions and called for an immediate halt to military operations. “The pressing task is to put an end to military operations at once and prevent the turmoil in the Middle East from further impacting the global economy,” Liu said.