China and Arab League pledge mutual support, rejecting ‘interference’
- Joint statement opposes external interference in Arab countries but says Arab League welcomes China to help resolve regional disputes
- The two sides agree to push for international talks based on a two-state Palestinian solution
China opposes external interference in Arab countries and fully supports the sovereignty of countries facing serious conflict in the region, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a joint statement with the Arab League.
The statement was released after a Sunday meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the secretary general of the Arab League, during which the two sides also agreed to push for international talks based on a two-state solution that would include the early establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
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Wang said efforts should be made to strengthen the authority of the Palestinian National Authority, the Fatah-controlled, interim self-government body that exercises partial civil control over the Gaza Strip and West Bank areas. He urged political talks within Palestine to establish a unified position in its talks with Israel.
The two sides would continue to “support each other on issues of mutual core interests and of major concerns … and oppose the politicisation of human rights issues and [its] use as a tool to exert pressure on other countries and interfere in their internal affairs”, the joint statement said.
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“Killings should be stopped and political solutions should be promoted … while external interference against Arab countries should be rejected,” the statement said, adding that the Arab League welcomed China to play a role in resolving regional disputes.
There have been hopes of reaching a full ceasefire to end the decade-long conflicts in Syria, Libya and Yemen after foreign countries, including the United States, agreed to pull out their forces and mercenaries from the region.
The transitional leadership in Libya has agreed to push for a presidential and parliamentary election in December to prevent a permanent splitting of the oil-rich North African country. In Yemen, a peace plan proposed by Saudi Arabia in March to end a civil war that has lasted for nearly six years was initially agreed by the Yemeni government and the major political parties.
Through the initiative, Beijing has significantly expanded its economic presence in the region, raising speculation that China could engage more widely in regional affairs.
But Beijing has avoided taking sides in conflicts, citing its principle of non-interference, and has preferred to try to mediate through multilateral platforms.