The Palestinian issue « is at a critical stage, » Beijing’s Middle East envoy said.
China on Tuesday reaffirmed its support for Arab efforts to end the Gaza conflict, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The Chinese government wants to see access to humanitarian aid in Gaza, a more stabile West Bank, and progress toward a two-state solution, said its special envoy to the Middle East at a gathering in Beijing of diplomats from Arab states.
Newsweek contacted the U.S. State Department for comment.Why It Matters
China’s international diplomacy in the Israeli-Palestinian dispute is part of its desire to play a bigger leadership role in the Middle East, in a direct challenge to U.S. support for Israel amid Arab frustrations over the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the U.S.-backed aid distribution system.
Since Israel started its offensive into Gaza in response to Hamas’ October 7 attack in 2023, Beijing has sought to undermine American credibility in the region amid rising U.S.-China trade and political tensions.What To Know
Zhai Jun, China’s special envoy to the Middle East, said the war in Gaza « must be stopped immediately » so humanitarian aid can flow freely, according to a Chinese readout of the meeting.
