China has begun evacuating its citizens from Israel and Iran and was pushing for a ceasefire in the conflict between the two Middle Eastern foes on Tuesday as clashes carried into a fifth day. China's foreign ministry said embassies and consulates have been offering assistance to those seeking to evacuate since the outbreak of fighting,

Analysts say China's calls for de-escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict reflect not just diplomatic ambition, but concern over its own vulnerabilities - from oil routes and regional projects to tensions with the United States.

China warned the Iran-Israel conflict may spread wider instability in the Middle East, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaching out to both countries as their days-old conflict shows no end in sight.