BEIJING: China called on Monday (Mar 2) for a ceasefire and diplomatic talks to end the conflict in the Middle East as it stretched into a third day . Israel and the United States have been conducting strikes on Iran and Lebanon, with the conflict extending to regional neighbours . "The most urgent task is an immediate cessation of military operations and preventing a spread and spillover of conflict," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a news conference, urging "a resolution through