Chinese FM urges Israel to open Gaza access routes, halt West Bank settlements

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday called for the full opening of access routes into Gaza to prevent a worsening humanitarian disaster and urged Israel to halt and reverse settlement activities in the West Bank.

Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Baku on the sidelines of the Seventh Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).

China and Israel have maintained stable relations and achieved positive results in practical cooperation over the past three decades, Wang said. He expressed China's willingness to use the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year as an opportunity to deepen cooperation and strengthen public support for bilateral ties.

He stressed that the Palestinian question is the greatest historical injustice of the 21st century and that the two-state solution is the right path to resolving it.

China stands ready to work with the international community to bring all parties back to dialogue and negotiations and seek a political solution to the conflict, Wang said, adding that both Palestinians and Israelis have the right to live in peace and to establish independent states.

Herzog said Israel firmly adheres to the one-China policy and hopes to advance friendly ties with China, including cooperation in science and technology, investment and people-to-people exchanges.

He said Israel hopes for peace but faces threats and challenges to its national security that require a strong response.

Herzog also praised China's efforts to promote regional peace and stability, saying Israel values China's proposals and initiatives and is willing to maintain communication with Beijing.