Beijing: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed concern over Israel's military actions in Gaza, stating that they have gone "beyond the scope of self-defense." He further called on the Israeli government to cease its collective punishment of the people of Gaza. Wang Yi's comments came following a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who sought Beijing's cooperation in preventing the Israel-Hamas conflict from escalating further.
During a call with his Saudi Arabian counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhad, Wang Yi reiterated the need for all parties to avoid actions that could exacerbate the situation and to return to the negotiation table promptly. Chinese envoy Zhai Jun is expected to visit the Middle East in the coming week to advocate for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict and promote peace talks.
Wang Yi emphasized that the most suitable resolution for the Israel-Palestinian conflict is the advancement of the "two-state solution" and the swift resumption of peace talks. He also called upon the United Nations to play a significant role in addressing the Palestinian issue.
China has consistently stressed that the fundamental solution to the conflict lies in implementing the two-state solution, resulting in the establishment of an independent State of Palestine. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has urged relevant parties to exercise restraint and promptly end hostilities to protect civilians and prevent further deterioration of the situation.
However, Israel expressed deep disappointment with China's stance, characterizing it as a "lack of clear condemnation" of the Hamas attack on Israel. The Israel Embassy in Beijing expressed concern that China's position does not reflect the tragedies and fears that have arisen in recent days due to the conflict.
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