‘Halt the fighting’: China and Arab nations renew call for ceasefire in Gaza
- Chinese foreign minister urges Israel to stop its ‘collective punishment’ of people in Gaza
- Wang Yi makes appeal as delegation from Arab and Muslim-majority countries stops in Beijing on global mission
“It is imperative that the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the General Assembly be fully implemented and that an immediate ceasefire be put in place to halt the fighting,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, adding it was not a diplomatic term, but “a matter of life or death for the Gaza people”.
Wang also urged Israel to open a humanitarian corridor “as soon as possible to prevent a wider humanitarian disaster”.
“China opposes any forced displacement and forcible transfer targeting Palestinian civilians. Israel should stop its collective punishment of the people of Gaza,” the foreign ministry quoted Wang as saying.
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Wang made the call during talks with his counterparts from Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and Indonesia. Hissein Brahim Taha, secretary general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, is also part of the delegation that is in the Chinese capital on the two-day mission.