BEIJING: China’s Foreign Minister, Qin Gang, has offered to help facilitate peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders, according to state media Xinhua. In separate phone calls with the top diplomats of both countries, Qin expressed support for the resumption of peace negotiations based on a “two-state solution” and offered to provide “convenience” to help facilitate talks.
The move comes as China has positioned itself as a regional mediator, including brokering the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia in March. The Israeli-Palestinian peace process has been stalled since 2014.
China’s offer to help mediate peace talks between Israel and Palestine represents a new diplomatic offensive by Beijing in the Middle East.
China has been increasingly active in the region in recent years, seeking to expand its influence and build relationships with key players. The move also reflects China’s desire to play a greater role in international affairs and to position itself as a global power.
Middle East peace process
The resumption of the peace process between Israel and Palestine would be a significant step towards resolving one of the world’s most protracted and intractable conflicts. The conflict, which dates back decades, has led to countless deaths and has caused immense suffering on both sides. While previous attempts at peace talks have failed, China’s involvement could provide a new impetus for progress.
The fact that China has offered to facilitate peace talks between Israel and Palestine underscores the country’s growing influence in the Middle East. As the United States (US) continues to withdraw from the region, China has stepped up its engagement, seeking to build relationships with key players and expand its influence.
While it remains to be seen whether China can help resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, its willingness to get involved is a sign of the country’s growing ambition on the world stage.
China’s offer to help facilitate peace talks between Israel and Palestine is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict in the Middle East. While it remains to be seen whether China can help resolve the conflict, its involvement could provide a new impetus for progress.
