China to coordinate with Arab nations on Palestine: Xi

ISTANBUL (AA) – China’s President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that Beijing will coordinate with Arab nations to seek a “lasting solution” to the Palestinian question as he pressed a two-state solution.

“China will coordinate more with Egypt and other Arab countries to work for a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question,” Xi told Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on the sidelines of a Belt and Road Forum which concluded in Beijing.

These were the first direct comments by Xi since the escalation in Palestine began October 7.

“The top priority is to stop the fighting as soon as possible, prevent the conflict from spreading, or even getting out of control and causing a severe humanitarian crisis,” said Xi.

“The fundamental way out of the recurring Palestinian-Israeli conflict is to implement the two-state solution, establish an independent state of Palestine, and achieve peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel,” Xi said, according to a statement by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying.

Xi lauded Egypt’s “vital role in deescalating the situation” and said it “supports its effort to open a humanitarian corridor.”

Beijing has called for a cease-fire and urged Tel Aviv to heed international law.

More than 5,100 people have died on both sides — mostly Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since the latest escalation started.

China is sending a special envoy to the region this week to help achieve calm.

Xi also met several world leaders Thursday, including from Turkmenistan, Cambodia, Mongolia, Congo, and Argentina.

Beijing hosted the two-day forum which was attended by more than 10,000 delegates from 151 countries and 41 international organizations, which shows the “appeal and global influence” of the Belt and Road Initiative, said Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

He added that 458 cooperation results were achieved at the forum.

Twenty-five presidents, vice presidents and prime ministers were in the audience.​​​​​​​