Blinken calls on China to help implement 'Hamas-Israel ceasefire'
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The Chinese Foreign Minister expressed Beijing's desire for the swift organization of an international peace conference to facilitate the establishment of a comprehensive consensus.
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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken talks during his meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, Pool)
US Secretary of State Blinken, during his visit to Saudi Arabia, held a "productive" one-hour phone call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, to assume a mediation role for the purposes of implementing a ceasefire in the context of "Israel's" aggression on Gaza.
Blinken encouraged China to utilize its influence to assist with mediation efforts. China's peaceful relations with Iran, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah, were part of the discussion, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.
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In response, Wang emphasized that the US should assume a "constructive and responsible role" in expediting a return to the path of a peaceful resolution, as per a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
"When dealing with international hot-spot issues, major countries must adhere to objectivity and fairness, maintain calmness and restraint, and take the lead in abiding by international law," said Wang.
The Chinese Foreign Minister also expressed Beijing's desire for the swift organization of an international peace conference to facilitate the establishment of a comprehensive consensus.
"The fundamental outlet for the Palestinian issue lies in implementing a 'two-state solution'," said Wang.
No condemnation of Hamas on the part of China
China's official statements about the conflict have refrained from explicitly naming Hamas in their condemnation of violence, leading to criticism on the part of Western officials who oppose Palestine's right to resist.
It is worth noting that China played a mediating role in reconciling Iran and Saudi Arabia earlier this year, a move that highly provoked the West.
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In a separate conversation on Saturday, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan urged China, as a UN Security Council permanent member, to use its influence to push for an immediate cessation of military operations in Gaza, as reported by the Saudi Foreign Ministry.
The phone call between Blinken and Wang encompassed discussions on China-US relations, which have faced significant tensions in recent years due to various complex trade and geopolitical matters.
"China and the United States have recently carried out a series of high-level contacts, and bilateral relations appear to have stopped sliding and to stabilize," he said. "(This) has been welcomed by the people of the two countries and the international community."
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A lack of justice
Earlier today, the Chinese Foreign Minister attributed the rapidly escalating situation in the Middle East to a lack of justice for the Palestinian people.
During a phone conversation with Celso Amorim, the chief advisor of Brazil’s presidency, Beijing's top diplomat said, "The crux of the matter is that justice has not been done to the Palestinian people."
The call occurred shortly before the United Nations Security Council convened an urgent session on Friday to address the Israeli aggression. Brazil, a non-permanent member, is currently presiding over the council's proceedings for this month.
"The United Nations has the responsibility and obligation to play its due role on the Palestinian question," he said.
Wang added that Beijing "clearly calls for practical measures for a cease-fire, an end to violence, protection of civilians, and the formation of a binding international consensus."
