BEIJING: The Chinese embassy in Israel asked its citizens living in the country on Friday to strengthen their security precautions and emergency preparedness, citing “rising security risks in the ⁠Middle East.”

Chinese nationals ⁠based in Israel should closely follow new developments and information released by ⁠Israeli authorities, the embassy said in a statement. Citizens should also refrain from traveling outside unless necessary, it added.

Earlier on Friday, China advised nationals to avoid traveling ⁠to ⁠Iran and urged those in the country to evacuate as soon as possible, as tensions build between Tehran and Washington.