China’s top diplomat welcomed four Arab foreign ministers and an Indonesian one to Beijing on Monday to end the war in the Gaza Strip as soon as possible.
Ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and Indonesia travelled to Beijing, reflecting both China’s growing geopolitical influence and its long-standing support for the Palestinians.
“China is a good friend and brother of Arab and Islamic countries. We have always firmly safeguarded the legitimate rights and interests of Arab [and] Islamic countries and have always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people.”
China has condemned Israel for its settlements in claimed territories. It did not criticise the first Hamas attack on October 7, which killed about 1,200 people, while the United States and other countries called it an act of terrorism.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, appealed for an immediate cease-fire and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
There are still dangerous developments ahead of us and an urgent humanitarian crisis that requires an international mobilization to deal with and counter it.
China is increasingly involved in international affairs, albeit cautiously. In March, Beijing helped broker an agreement that restored ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran after seven years of tension.
Five foreign ministers are set to visit a number of capitals in an attempt to push for a ceasefire, deliver aid to the Gaza Strip and end the war, Prince Faisal declared over the weekend.
More than 11,500 people have been killed so far in Israel’s retaliatory strikes on the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian health officials. Another 2,700 are missing and presumed buried under rubble. Riyad Al-Maliki, the Palestinian Authority foreign minister, stated:
“This isn’t Israel’s first war against the Palestinian people. However, Israel wants this to be its last war, where it takes full control of the Palestinian people’s presence on what’s left of the historical land of Palestine.”
Israel’s ambassador to China, Irit Ben-Abba, stated on Monday that her country allowed sufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza in cooperation with international organisations and that “putting pressure on Israel in this regard is politically motivated and is not conducive to the humanitarian assistance that is needed.”
She also expressed hope for “no one-sided” Security Council resolution and a clear statement calling for the “unconditional release of the 240 hostages,” taken by Hamas during its attacks, “rather than calling for a cease-fire.”
