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.

China has issued advisories to its citizens in Israel and Iran of the "complex and severe" security situation in those countries, adding a warning to those in Israel to prepare for possible missile and drone attacks. (Reporting by Ziyi Tang in Beijing and Kane Wu in Hong Kong; Editing by Stephen Coates and Raju Gopalakrishnan)