Israel-Gaza war: China’s Wang Yi renews ceasefire call in talks with Iran

Chinese foreign minister repeats hopes for two-state solution in second call with Iranian counterpart since conflict began

Fears grow of a new front opening along Lebanon border amid skirmishes between Israeli forces and Tehran-backed Hezbollah

Reading Time:3 minutes

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (seen left, in November 2023) spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian (right, October 2023) in a phone call on Monday December 11, 2023, amid fears that the Israel-Gaza war could spill out into a second front on the Lebanon border. Photos: AFP/EPA-EFE, SCMP composite

Published: 5:00pm, 12 Dec 2023Updated: 11:10pm, 12 Dec 2023

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart – their second since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war – as fears persisted that a second front could open along the Lebanon border.

Beijing hoped to “coordinate with Iran on international and multilateral occasions”, Wang told Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Monday, according to the foreign ministry.

In a discussion focused on the conflict in Gaza, Wang also called for strengthening communication, mutual trust and cooperation with Tehran following the agreements reached between the two state leaders in February and August.

“China’s stance on the Palestinian-Israel conflict is to pursue an immediate ceasefire, ensure humanitarian aid and resume a ‘two-state solution’,” Wang said, reiterating Beijing’s previous statements on its approach to the conflict.

He said Beijing’s position had a “high level of consensus” with Islamic countries and the international community as well as being “aligned” with the Arab world. He noted that China was willing to work with Islamic and Arab countries to create conditions for a return to a two-state solution.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x