On the same day, Wang also called the Palestinian Authority’s foreign minister for the first time, as part of Beijing’s efforts to present itself as a peacemaker in the intensifying conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.
In the Monday call with Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Wang expressed China’s “deep worries” about the war’s escalation and stressed that Beijing “condemns all actions that harm civilians”, according to the Chinese statement.
“Every country has the right to self-defence, but should abide by international law and protect the safety of civilians,” he said.
Wang highlighted that China had “no self-interest” in a political settlement of the issue but “genuinely hoped” it to be “fully and fairly resolved, such that security concerns of all parties could also be solved fundamentally”.
Israel ‘gone beyond self-defence’ in Gaza: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi
Israel ‘gone beyond self-defence’ in Gaza: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi
Speaking to the Palestinian Authority’s Riyad al-Maliki, Wang expressed “deep sympathy for the adversity” faced by Palestinians, especially those in Gaza.
Beijing has provided and will continue to provide humanitarian help to Gazans through the Palestinian Authority and the United Nations, Wang said.
He also reiterated China’s stance that the “only solution to Palestine-Israel conflict” is the political settlement of the “two-state resolution” – a call that Beijing officials have consistently highlighted throughout their diplomatic efforts during the war.
Wang has also made calls on the issue to his counterparts in Egypt, Iran, Turkey, the US and Brazil, according to Zhai Jun, Beijing’s special envoy to the Middle East, who is on a diplomatic mission in the region.
In contrast, Wang’s high-level conversations with Israel and the Palestinian Authority came two weeks after the deadly Hamas assault that sparked the latest conflict and prompted an international outcry.
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Protesters on both sides of Israel-Hamas conflict flood streets around the world
Protesters on both sides of Israel-Hamas conflict flood streets around the world
Zhai attended a peace summit in Egypt on Sunday before heading to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan as part of Beijing’s push for a de-escalation of the conflict.
Observers are watching Zhai’s progress for an indication of whether Beijing can use its influence with Iran to help prevent the Israel-Gaza war from spilling into Lebanon and Syria.
Iranian-backed fighters around the region are warning of a possible escalation in the conflict if a ground offensive is launched in Gaza, which has been sealed off by Israel, trapping 2.3 million people without access to food, water or medicine. Limited aid has been able to get in via Egypt.
Chinese envoy’s Middle East tour heightens focus on sway over Iran
Chinese envoy’s Middle East tour heightens focus on sway over Iran
The Palestinian death toll rose rapidly this week as Israel ramped up its air strikes on Gaza, in preparation for a ground assault. Clashes have also spread from Israel’s border with Gaza in the south to its northern border with Lebanon.
More than 5,000 Palestinians, including some 2,000 minors and around 1,100 women, have been killed, the Hamas-run health ministry said on Monday.
Diplomats hope negotiations to release more than 200 hostages held by Hamas can delay Israel’s planned offensive. Four people, including two US citizens, have been freed after being seized in the raid that killed more than 1,400 Israelis on October 7.
