Palestinian envoy seeks role for China in Gaza conflict

China could play a “special role” in the Middle East, a Palestinian envoy said on Friday, following eight days of deadly conflict between Israel and militants in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.

Bassam al-Salhi, a representative of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, was speaking after talks in Beijing on efforts to upgrade his people’s status at the United Nations and maintain calm in the region.

A ceasefire brokered by Egypt came into effect on Thursday in Gaza, which Abbas does not control.

Salhi, also general secretary of the Palestinian People’s Party, referred to China as a “broker” and a “mediator” after talks with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

He said Beijing could succeed where the United States failed in finding a solution to end hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians.

“We are very interested in the Chinese role in all the Middle East because all the Middle East needs more efforts from the international community,” he said.

“They want to be involved [in the Middle East] and we are interested in them being more involved.