Daily brief
China's top political advisory body, the CPPCC, began its annual session in Beijing, with members voting to remove three retired generals from its membership ahead of the opening. The meetings, part of the broader 'Two Sessions', will set the country's economic and policy course for the year.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated China opposes military strikes against Iran by Israel and the US, calling for a halt to operations and a return to talks on the nuclear issue.
France stated it will work with China on de-escalating the conflict involving Iran.
The US and China have scheduled a meeting between their trade chiefs for mid-March, ahead of a potential summit between Presidents Trump and Xi.
A German politician has been accused of expressing sympathy for the AfD party as well as for Russia and China.