China welcomes Arab and Muslim FMs for talks on ending the war in Gaza

China’s top diplomat welcomed four Arab foreign ministers and the Indonesian one to Beijing on Monday, saying his country would work with “our brothers and sisters” in the Arab and Islamic world to try to end the war in Gaza as soon as possible.

Quick Read

• Diplomatic Meeting in Beijing:
  • China’s top diplomat hosted Arab foreign ministers and Indonesia’s foreign minister in Beijing.
  • Aimed to work with Arab and Islamic countries to end the Gaza war.
• Participants and Tour Goals:
  • Ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, and Indonesia.
  • Touring permanent members of the UN Security Council.
  • Push for cease-fire, lasting peace, and accountability for violations in Gaza and West Bank.
• China’s Position:
  • Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed solidarity with Arab and Islamic countries.
  • China known for supporting Palestinian rights and criticizing Israeli settlements.
• Arab Leaders’ Statements:
  • Saudi Foreign Minister called for an immediate cease-fire and humanitarian aid in Gaza.
  • Urged for more international cooperation and efforts.
• Recent Arab and Muslim Summits:
  • Condemnation of Israeli actions at a joint summit of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
• China’s Increasing Global Role:
  • Brokered agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
  • Increasingly vocal on international issues.
• Impact of Gaza Conflict:
  • Israeli strikes in Gaza have resulted in over 11,500 deaths and 2,700 missing.
• Palestinian Authority’s Stance:
  • Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki emphasized the ongoing struggle against Israel.
• Israel’s Response:
  • Ambassador Irit Ben-Abba stated Israel allows humanitarian aid into Gaza.
  • Urged against one-sided resolutions and called for the release of hostages taken by Hamas.

The Associated Press has the story:

China welcomes Arab and Muslim FMs for talks on ending the war in Gaza

Newslooks- BEIJING (AP)

China’s top diplomat welcomed four Arab foreign ministers and the Indonesian one to Beijing on Monday, saying his country would work with “our brothers and sisters” in the Arab and Islamic world to try to end the war in Gaza as soon as possible.

The ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and Indonesia chose to start in Beijing a tour to permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, a testament to both China’s growing geopolitical influence and its longstanding support for the Palestinians.

The tour aims to push for a cease-fire and propel the political process forward with the goal of lasting peace, as well as “hold the Israeli occupation accountable for the blatant violations and crimes in the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank,” according to a statement published by the Saudi foreign ministry on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the foreign diplomats that their decision to start in Beijing shows their high level of trust in his nation.

“China is a good friend and brother of Arab and Islamic countries,” Wang said in opening remarks at a state guest house before their talks began. “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 long backed the Palestinians and been quick to denounce Israel over its settlements in the occupied territories. It has not criticized the initial Hamas attack on Oct.7 — which killed about 1,200 people — while the United States and others have called it an act of terrorism. However, China does have growing economic ties with Israel.

The Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, called for an immediate cease-fire and the entry of humanitarian aid and relief 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,” he said.

He added they appreciated the resolution issued by the United Nations Security Council, calling for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in Gaza, “but we still need more efforts and cooperation.”

The visit came after Arab and Muslim leaders condemned the “brutal Israeli aggression” against the Palestinians at a rare joint summit of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation hosted by Saudi Arabia last week.

The secretary general of the OIC, Hissein Brahim Taha, is also accompanying them on the trip.

China — the world’s second-largest economy after the U.S. — has become increasingly outspoken on international affairs and even gotten directly involved in some recently, albeit cautiously.

In March, Beijing helped broker an agreement that saw Saudi Arabia and Iran reestablish ties after seven years of tension in a role previously reserved for longtime global heavyweights like the U.S. and Russia.

Israel’s retaliatory strikes on the Gaza Strip have so far killed more than 11,500 people, according to Palestinian health authorities. Another 2,700 have been reported missing, believed buried in rubble.

“This isn’t Israel’s first war against the Palestinian people,” said Riyad Al-Maliki, the Palestinian Authority foreign minister. “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, said Monday, that her country is allowing sufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza in collaboration with international organizations and that “putting pressure on Israel in this regard is politically motivated and is not conducive to the humanitarian assistance which is needed.”

She also said that they hoped for “no one-sided” resolution by the Security Council and that they expected a clear statement calling for the “unconditional release of the 240 hostages” who were abducted by Hamas during its attacks, “rather than calling for a cease-fire.”

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