China’s special envoy begins Middle East tour on Palestine

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Emphasizing a two-state solution, China’s special envoy on the Middle East Zhai Jun has begun his tour of the region aimed at ending the Palestine-Israeli conflict.

Zhai met Qatar’s State Minister Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi in Doha on Thursday, Chinese state media reported.

Reiterating China's willingness to “play a constructive role in easing tensions between Palestine and Israel and promoting peace talks,” Zhai said: “China consistently advocates for peace, talks, and a political settlement of the Palestinian issue.”

He said China was engaged in “intensive communication with relevant parties” in the international community to “promote a ceasefire.”

“Qatar holds significant influence regarding the Palestinian issue and China is ready to maintain communication and coordination with Qatar to play a constructive role in easing the current tense situation,” he told Al Khulaifi.

Before flying out for the Middle East tour, Zhai met the Israeli ambassador to China Irit Ben-Abba Vitale on Tuesday in Beijing.

The meeting, which was held at the embassy’s request, exchanged “views on the current Palestine-Israel situation,” said China’s Foreign Ministry.

Zhai also met the Russian President's special envoy for the Middle East and Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov in Qatar.

China opposes acts that violate international law, he told his Russian counterpart.

The “fundamental reason” for the current situation, he said, “is the failure to safeguard the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people.”

“China and Russia share the same stance on the Palestinian issue,” Zhai said, adding that Beijing was ready to “maintain communication and coordination with Russia to de-escalate the situation as soon as possible.”

Emphasizing the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, the Chinese envoy also called for efforts to implement a "two-state solution" and promote an “early, comprehensive, just, and lasting” settlement of the Palestinian question.

Meanwhile, Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa is expected to visit Egypt to attend a multinational meeting to discuss the ongoing armed conflict between Israel and Palestine.

The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis, with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an “immediate humanitarian cease-fire” to ease the “epic human suffering.”

At least 4,137 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.