Foreign Minister Wang Yi warns of ‘devouring’ Mideast violence as China convenes high-level UN meeting
- As China finishes its rotating UN Security Council leadership, the diplomat repeats his call for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and eventual two-state solution
- ‘Only when the two-state solution is fully implemented can the Middle East enjoy genuine peace and Israel enjoy lasting security,’ says Wang
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned the UN Security Council on Wednesday that a resumption of fighting between Israel and Palestinians threatens to “devour the whole region” as he called for a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
China wraps up its rotating one-month presidency of the 15-member Security Council on Thursday, a period that has been consumed by the emergency. China’s growing focus on global diplomacy and outreach to Mideast countries was evidenced by its decision to dispatch one of its most senior diplomats from Beijing to chair a high-level session on the crisis.
China held the presidency during November and Ecuador takes over in December.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday that the Gaza Strip was in the midst of an epic humanitarian catastrophe and urged the world not to turn away.
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“Intense negotiations are taking place to prolong the truce – which we strongly welcome – but we believe we need a true humanitarian ceasefire,” he told the meeting.