In a heartfelt call for peace, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi 📞 reached out to Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Monday, emphasizing the urgent need for an immediate, complete, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Wang also stressed the importance of releasing all hostages and ensuring unimpeded access to humanitarian aid in the region.
\"All lives are equally precious, regardless of nationality or ethnicity,\" Wang remarked, highlighting the dire humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza. He expressed that countering violence with violence isn't the solution and that genuine concerns of all parties must be addressed thoughtfully.
Wang pointed out that the ongoing conflict underscores the Palestinian question as the core issue in the Middle East 🌍. He noted that the international community is voicing a clear desire for all parties to return to the political path of a two-state solution, aiming for peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine, as well as harmony between Jewish and Arab people.
Expressing China's deep concern over rising tensions between Israel and Iran, Wang urged all parties to act cautiously to avoid escalating the situation further. \"China is not self-interested in the Middle East and never engages in geopolitical contests,\" he stated, reaffirming China's commitment to peace.
As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China is committed to standing on the side of peace, international law, and truth. Wang assured that China will continue to play a constructive role in de-escalating tensions and restoring peace in the region. He also called on Israel to ensure the safety of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) personnel, who are carrying out peacekeeping missions under UN mandates.
On bilateral relations, Katz emphasized that developing ties with China is a consistent policy of Israel, serving the common interests of both nations 🇨🇳🇮🇱. He also reaffirmed Israel's position on the Taiwan question. Wang responded by expressing China's willingness to resume exchanges in all aspects with Israel when the situation eases, promoting the sustainable development of their innovative comprehensive partnership. He also hoped that Israel would take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and nationals in Israel.
\"Peace cannot be achieved through violence; dialogue and understanding are the keys to resolving conflicts,\" Wang Yi concluded.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
