China supports all efforts to reach peace in Ukraine while emphasizing that Gaza and the West are "not a bargaining chip in political trade-offs."

The remarks were made by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who chaired a United Nations Security Council meeting on multilateralism. Commenting on crucial developments relating to talks between Russia and the United States in Saudi Arabia, Wang said that "China supports all efforts conducive to peace talks."

The top diplomat reiterated that the country would continue to follow the four points outlined by Chinese President Xi Jinping, which are; respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, observance of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, paying due regard to legitimate security concerns of all countries, and supporting efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis. 

Read more: UK's Starmer faces backlash over Ukraine troop deployment plans

Gaza, West Bank are not bargaining chips: Wang

On Palestine, Wang said that it was vital to uphold the "two-state solution," which aims to establish an independent Palestinian state. This comes after US President Donald Trump insisted on a plan for a US "takeover" of the Gaza Strip, which entails the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. Trump also made dangerous comments on the West Bank, suggesting that his administration is considering recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory. 

"Gaza and the West Bank are the homeland of the Palestinian people, not a bargaining chip in political trade-offs," Wang underlined. 

As for governance of the Gaza Strip, Wang emphasized the principle of allowing Palestinians to lead on the issue. 

"The Palestinians governing Palestine is an important principle that must be followed in the post-conflict governance of Gaza," he said.

It is worth noting that China hosted talks between Palestinian factions, hugely accelerating reconciliation between Palestinians, which were followed by meetings in Cairo, Egypt. 

Wang stated at a press conference after the UNSC meeting that while Ukraine is receiving most of the attention, other issues, such as Gaza, should not be overlooked.

"We must realize that in our world today, there's not just the Ukraine issue. There are also many other hotspots, including the crisis in Gaza, which also require attention from the international community, and these issues must not be marginalized," Wang told reporters. 

Read more: What are implications of Trump's Gaza plan, mechanisms to confront it?