October 17: Promoting peace and reconciliation in the Middle East constitutes the cornerstone of China’s Middle East policy. China has consistently maintained that the Palestinian question represents the greatest historical injustice of this century, and that the “two-state solution” remains the only viable path to its resolution.
Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister, made these remarks during a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on October 15, on the sidelines of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.
During the meeting, President Herzog noted that the Jewish and Chinese peoples share a long history of engagement. Both sides supported each other during the World Anti-Fascist War, and the profound friendship forged between the two peoples remains an enduring chapter in history.
Herzog affirmed that Israel firmly adheres to the One-China principle and is committed to advancing friendly relations with Beijing. On the occasion of the upcoming 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations next year, Israel looks forward to expanding exchanges and cooperation across diverse sectors, including science and technology, bilateral investment, and people-to-people exchanges.
Wang Yi pointed out that the situation across the Middle East is growing increasingly volatile. The most pressing imperative at this moment is the complete and unhindered reopening of all access routes into Gaza.
He stressed that over two million civilians cannot be allowed to remain trapped in acute desperation, nor can this severe humanitarian catastrophe be permitted to continue. Concurrently, he called on Israel to halt forced settlement expansion in the West Bank and reverse the measures already taken in that regard.
Wang Yi reiterated that China stands ready to work alongside the international community to uphold and implement a common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable vision of security. Through these concerted efforts, Beijing seeks to bring all concerned parties back to the negotiating table as swiftly as possible and strive toward an enduring political settlement to the conflict.
Source: Xuei, Faisal, Zinia | China Media Group (CMG)