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 on Friday, adding a warning to those in Israel to prepare for possible missile and drone 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,