China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi with representatives from Muslim-majority nations at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing on November 20.
The Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies
Beijing – November 20, 2023
A delegation comprising Arab and Muslim officials arrived in Beijing on Monday, urging a ceasefire in Gaza and seeking support from China in their diplomatic efforts. The delegation, including representatives from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Indonesia, and the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, was warmly welcomed by China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi.
This diplomatic initiative marks China’s increased involvement on the international stage, following its role in mediating a détente between Saudi Arabia and Iran earlier this year.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed China’s commitment to its friendship with Arab and Islamic nations, stating, “China is a good friend and brother of Arab and Islamic countries. We have always firmly safeguarded the legitimate rights and interests of Arab (and) Islamic countries and have always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people.”
The delegation’s visit to China is the initial leg of a global tour to garner support for ending Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, which has escalated since Hamas’s attack on October 7. The Israeli retaliation, including airstrikes and a ground offensive, has resulted in a significant loss of life, with at least 13,000 Gazans reported dead, including thousands of children. Additionally, around 1.4 million people in Gaza have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud emphasized the urgency of ending the violence and delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. He called for international mobilization and expressed gratitude for the U.N. Security Council’s resolution on November 15, which called for extended humanitarian pauses in Gaza. However, he deemed the resolution insufficient.
Israel’s ambassador to China, Irit Ben-Abba, countered by stating that Israel has allowed necessary humanitarian aid into Gaza. She cautioned against politically motivated pressure on Israel, arguing that it hinders the humanitarian assistance needed in the region.
The diplomatic efforts follow an Islamic-Arab summit held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, nine days ago. During the summit, leaders from the Arab League and OIC urged the International Criminal Court to investigate alleged “war crimes and crimes against humanity” committed by Israel in the Palestinian territories. The visit to China signals a broader push by the delegation to build international consensus on resolving the Gaza crisis.