The envoy, slated to meet with delegates from all five permanent members of the UN Security Council, is actively urging Western nations to dismiss Israel’s claim of self-defense for its actions against Palestinians.
Officials in discussions with China’s chief diplomat, Wang Yi, on Monday, hail from nations including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Indonesia, Palestine, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, among others.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud underscored, “Our message is unequivocal: we must immediately halt hostilities and prevent further loss of lives, while urgently delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.”
The diplomatic team, set to confer with envoys from all five permanent members of the UN Security Council, is actively urging Western nations to dismiss Israel’s claim of self-defense in its actions against Palestinians.
The officials engaged in talks with China’s leading diplomat, Wang Yi, on Monday, hail from countries including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Indonesia, Palestine, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, among others.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud emphasized, “Our message is unequivocal: we must immediately halt hostilities and prevent further loss of lives, while urgently delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.”
During this month’s extraordinary joint Islamic-Arab summit in Riyadh, there was a collective call for the International Criminal Court to investigate “war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Israel” in the Palestinian territories.
Saudi Arabia has been actively pressing the United States and Israel to cease hostilities in Gaza. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of the kingdom, rallied Arab and Muslim leaders to reinforce this message.
The situation escalated when approximately 240 hostages were taken during Hamas’s cross-border attack into Israel on October 7. In response, Israel initiated an invasion of the Gaza Strip with the aim of eliminating the resistance group.
As per Gaza’s Hamas-run government, a minimum of 13,000 Palestinians, including at least 5,500 children, have lost their lives in Israeli bombardments.
The Israeli ambassador to Beijing, Irit Ben-Abba, expressed during a briefing on Monday that she prefers no statements on a ceasefire during this visit, emphasizing that it’s not the appropriate time. Israel expects the delegation to address the issue of hostages held by Hamas, calling for their immediate release without preconditions. Additionally, she suggested focusing discussions on Egypt’s role in facilitating humanitarian assistance.
Wang, representing China, reiterated Beijing’s unwavering support for Arab and Muslim nations, labeling China as a “good friend and brother.” He affirmed China’s consistent backing of the just cause of the Palestinian people in reclaiming their legitimate national rights and interests.
During the conflict, China’s foreign ministry has abstained from explicitly condemning Hamas. Instead, it has advocated for de-escalation and encouraged Israel and Palestine to pursue a “two-state solution” for the establishment of an independent Palestine.
Since the conclusion of China’s nearly three-year-long Covid lockdowns, President Xi has launched a diplomatic initiative aimed at countering the United States and its allies, whom he accuses of attempting to contain and suppress China. Beijing has strengthened alliances with non-Western-led multilateral groups, such as the BRICS bloc of nations, while also enhancing connections with countries in the Middle East and the Global South.
On Monday, Wang declared that China is dedicated to “swiftly ending the conflict in Gaza, mitigating the humanitarian crisis, and fostering an early, comprehensive, fair, and lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue.”
China’s special envoy on the Middle East, Zhai Jun, has been actively involved in discussions with officials from Israel and the Palestinian Authority (governing in the occupied West Bank), along with engagements with the Arab League and the EU over the past year. These discussions have primarily focused on a two-state solution and the acknowledgment of Palestine at the United Nations.