Xi calls for Middle East peace conference

Beijing, China – AFP

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Thursday for a peace conference on Israel’s war on Gaza as he addressed Arab leaders and diplomats at a forum in Beijing.

Addressing the delegations on Thursday morning, Xi said China supported a “broad-based” peace conference to resolve the conflict.

“The Middle East is a land bestowed with broad prospects for development, but the war is still raging on it,” Xi said.

“War should not continue indefinitely. Justice should not be absent forever,” he added.

Xi also said China “supports Palestine’s full membership in the UN, and supports a more broad-based, authoritative and effective international peace conference”.

China, which has good relations with Israel, has advocated for decades for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Meeting Egypt’s Sisi on Wednesday, Xi said he was “deeply pained” by the “extremely severe” situation in Gaza, where Israel has killed 36,171 people, mostly women and children, according to local health ministry.

“The top priority task now is an immediate cease-fire, in order to avoid spillover of conflict, impact on regional peace and stability, and… to prevent a more serious humanitarian crisis,” Xi said.

He also said China was ready to work with Egypt, which neighbours Gaza and Israel, to “push for an early, comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue”.