As an unprecedented Israeli attack on Iran last week sparks a spiraling conflict between the two enemy states, China has seen an opportunity to cast itself as potential peace broker – and an alternative voice to the United States.

In response to Israel's attack, Lin Jian, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, said, according to state media, that "China is highly concerned about Israel's attacks

China's Ambassador to the U.N. Fu Cong speaks during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the situation in the Middle East and the Palestinian question at U.N. headquarters in New York City,