China has prepared to act "whatever is conducive" to encourage dialogue, assure an armistice, and restore peace in the escalating conflict in Gaza, according to China's state media, citing the country's Middle East envoy.
The state-run China Central Television, veteran diplomat Zhai Jun, who is currently on a regional tour, has described the situation in Gaza as "very serious." In his statement, he expressed concern over the possibility of a significant ground conflict and the potential for armed conflicts to extend into neighboring nations, as per Aljazeera.
China Calls for Ceasefire
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - OCTOBER 20: A woman holds a "save all children, ceasefire now" sign near demonstrators holding signs of the people kidnapped outside HaKirya, The Kirya, on October 20, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel. As Israel prepares to invade the Gaza Strip in its campaign to vanquish Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that launched a deadly attack in southern Israel on October 7th, worries are growing of a wider war with multiple fronts, including at the country's northern border with Lebanon. Countries have scrambled to evacuate their citizens from Israel, and Israel has begun relocating residents some communities on its northern border. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of residents of northern Gaza have fled to the southern part of the territory, following Israel's vow to launch a ground invasion.
During the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian battle, China has once again made a diplomatic plea for peace, emphasizing that force should not be the solution to this long-standing dispute. This call for a ceasefire is part of China's consistent support for the Palestinian cause and its commitment to a two-state solution.
At a recent "summit for peace" hosted by Egypt, the Chinese envoy for the Middle East, Zhai Jun, joined the international community in urging an immediate end to the violence and a peaceful resolution. The conflict in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, has escalated in recent weeks, resulting in a devastating loss of life and destruction.
Egypt's summit for peace provided a platform for key stakeholders to come together, with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underscoring the urgency of taking swift action to end what he described as a "god-awful nightmare."
China's diplomatic stance in this matter is grounded in its long-standing support for the Palestinian cause and belief in a two-state solution. While the statement made by Zhai Jun did not explicitly name Israel or Hamas, it called for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the fighting, emphasizing that responding to violence with more violence only perpetuates a cycle of revenge.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has seen a tragic loss of civilian lives on both sides. According to Israeli officials, Hamas militants stormed into Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, killing at least 1,400 people, predominantly civilians.
In response, Israel launched a retaliatory bombing campaign, which, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza, has led to the deaths of over 4,600 Palestinians, the majority of whom were civilians, according to The Straits Times.
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Israeli-Palestinian Relations
China's position is significant not only due to its call for peace but also in the context of its diplomatic relations with Israel. While maintaining good relations with Israel, China has consistently advocated for the Palestinian cause and supported a two-state solution.
This nuanced approach reflects China's commitment to maintaining regional stability and promoting a peaceful resolution to the conflict. China's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has also drawn a contrast with the United States. When the United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for a "humanitarian pause" in the conflict, China expressed its deep disappointment.
Washington's rationale for the veto was the resolution's failure to acknowledge Israel's right to defend itself. Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of preventing the conflict from spiraling out of control and causing a humanitarian crisis.
President Xi's commitment to this issue was evident during his meeting with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly in Beijing, where he underscored the need for immediate action to address the crisis.
Zhai Jun, China's envoy for the Middle East, has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis. He has called upon the international community to be vigilant and strictly adhere to international humanitarian law.
Furthermore, China has expressed willingness to do whatever is conducive to promoting dialogue, achieving a ceasefire, and restoring peace in the region. This includes promoting the two-state solution, a framework that the international community has long advocated as a basis for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Aol reported.
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