Palestinian-Israeli conflict: Chinese envoy meets Arab diplomats in Beijing

China’s special envoy on the Middle East issue Zhai Jun on Friday met with diplomats of Arab countries and representatives of the Arab League in China on the ongoing conflict between the Palestinians and Israel, according to a statement of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

According to the statement released early Saturday, Zhai said at the meeting that China supports the Arab League in playing an important role on the Palestinian issue.

China is ready to maintain communication and coordination with the Arab League and Arab countries to make efforts to take the peace process of the Middle East back on track, said Zhai.

The meeting came following the Chinese special envoy’s separate phone talks with diplomats of Egypt, Palestine, Israel and Saudi Arabia since the conflict between Israel and Palestine broke out on October 7.

The latest round of violence has killed over 3,000 people on both sides, including over 1,900 Palestinians and more than 1,300 Israelis, according to authorities from both sides.

During Friday’s meeting, Zhai reiterated that the Chinese side is saddened by the massive civilian casualties, opposes acts that harm civilians, and condemns practices that violate international law.

“The pressing priority is to maintain calm and restraint, protect civilians, and provide the necessary conditions to alleviate the humanitarian crisis,” he said.

China will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Palestine to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis faced by the Palestinian people, said Zhai.

The international community should make real efforts to enhance the sense of urgency on the Palestinian issue, and return to the correct foundation of the “two-state solution” so as to achieve peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel, stressed the Chinese envoy.

During the meeting, the Arab side noted the grave humanitarian situation in Palestine and said Israel’s operations have violated international law and international humanitarian law, according to the statement.

The international community should take immediate action to ease tensions, promote the resumption of peace talks, and safeguard the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, according to the Arab side.

The Arab side also said they highly appreciates China for its long-standing just stance on the Palestinian issue, and hopes that China will continue to play an active and constructive role.

At a joint press meeting with European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Friday in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the Chinese special envoy will soon visit the Middle East to make positive efforts to cool down the situation.

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