Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning

Against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East, global markets for energy, fertilizers and other commodities are facing supply shortages, exerting pressure on many countries. China stands ready to maintain communication with all parties and jointly safeguard global energy security.

 However, to fundamentally resolve the issue, the first step should be to halt military operations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing on Monday, responding to a media inquiry.
 
A journalist posed a question, citing claims that China had exported diesel and fuel to Southeast Asian countries over the past week, and asking whether this indicated support for these economies amid the Middle East crisis and whether China would outline plans to assist other countries. 

"I have no specific information to provide on your question. I would suggest consulting the competent Chinese authorities and enterprises," Mao said.

Emerging economies in Asia have been among the most acutely affected by a war in the Middle East that has upended the energy trade, pushing up prices and creating widespread shortages, Bloomberg reported on Monday, noting that countries, including the Philippines, have indicated they would turn to others in the region for help through the supply crunch.

Recently, the Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) held talks with China to secure fertilizer supplies, citing the need for urea - a nitrogen-based fertilizer that the country imports - amid tensions in the Middle East, Philippine media outlet ABS-CBN reported on March 18. 

The Philippines imported 7.1 million metric tons of fertilizers from 2021 to 2023, mainly from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Canada and South Korea. 

ABS-CBN reported on Wednesday that China has assured the Philippines it will sustain fertilizer exports despite persistent oil price hikes, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel said. The secretary added in an interview that China would not restrict fertilizer exports, calling it "good news."

"China stands ready to strengthen coordination and collaboration with Southeast Asian countries and jointly address energy security issues," said another Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on March 19. 

 Global Times