China is ready to take the implementation of the Global Security Initiative as an opportunity to work with Middle East countries and the international community to build a new security concept in the region, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday.
He made the remarks when attending the opening ceremony of the second Middle East Security Forum by video.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks via video at the opening ceremony of the second Middle East Security Forum, September 21, 2022. /China's Foreign Ministry
In promoting the building of the new security concept, Wang made several proposals.
He highlighted the importance of being committed to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.
In July 2018, at the opening ceremony of the eighth ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF), Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security for the region.
In April this year, Xi proposed the Global Security Initiative at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference.
These put forward important ideas for solving the security dilemma in the Middle East, Wang said.
He said, it is the people of the Middle East who are the masters of the future and destiny of the region, saying that it is the countries in the region that should take the lead in security affairs of the region.
He also stressed implementing the UN Security Council resolutions on the settlement of hotspot issues in the Middle East, especially the Palestinian issue, and supporting the UN mediation efforts.
Strengthening regional security dialogue was another highlight in Wang's proposals.
As a strategic partner of Middle Eastern countries, China has always been an important and constructive force in promoting peace and supporting development in the region, said the Chinese foreign minister.
The second Middle East Security Forum is held in Beijing, China, September 21, 2022. /CGTN
Former Prime Minister of Palestine Dr Rami Hamdallah and former Prime Minister of Jordan Dr Adnan Badran were among the speakers at the forum. They welcomed China's stance and propositions as "consistent" and "laudable."
China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is bringing many new growth opportunities, and to take part in the BRI, the Middle East must first become stable and secure, Badran said.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Deng Li also addressed the forum, calling for an end to unilateral sanctions.
"China is against illegal unilateral sanctions, and imposed (so-called) solutions. We urge the international community to work together constructively and support a secure Middle East," Deng said.
(CGTN's Sun Ye also contributed to the story.)