Wang Yi urges complete ceasefire in Gaza, supports UN's leading role

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday called for a complete ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and implementing the two-state solution as soon as possible, while expressing support for the United Nations' leading role in resolving the Palestine-Israel conflict.

Wang made the remarks in a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the UN headquarters in New York. The Chinese diplomat is in the U.S. and expected to chair a UN Security Council high-level meeting on the Palestinian-Israeli issue as China is the rotating president of the council this month. 

China has maintained close contacts with the Arab nations and relevant parties, Wang said, adding that Resolution 2712 by the UN Security Council is the first step toward a ceasefire.

The resolution, adopted earlier this month, calls for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors in Gaza.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, reaffirmed China's position on resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

"First, there should be no re-ignition of the war. A complete ceasefire should be achieved to avoid greater humanitarian disasters, and the detainees should be released," the Chinese diplomat said according to an official release. "Second, unhindered access of humanitarian supplies to Gaza needs to be ensured, Wang said. And third, the two-state solution should be restarted at an early date."

China calls for the convening of a more authoritative, broader and more effective international peace conference as soon as possible to formulate a road map and timetable for restarting the two-state solution, he added.

For his part, Guterres spoke highly of China's "constructive role" as UNSC's rotating president.

The UN chief said the humanitarian situation in Gaza is worrying, as casualties of civilians, and especially children, in the area are unprecedented and unacceptable. He called for more humanitarian assistance and the easing of procedures for the speedy processing of aid.

(Cover: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) meets with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York, U.S., November 28, 2023. /Chinese Foreign Ministry)