BEIJING – China has always stood on the side of peace and justice with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a news briefing on Tuesday.
Wang’s comments came in response to a question about the European Union’s call on China to influence Hamas and Iran to avoid escalation in the Middle East.
“On the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, China has always stood on the side of peace and justice. We have maintained tight communication with relevant parties,” Wang said. “We are working hard to stop the fire and explosions. We call for the restoration of peace.”
Wang stressed that countries outside the Middle East region, especially major powers, should be objective and impartial and “jointly play a constructive role to ease tensions.”
On the Middle East issue, China favors the establishment of an independent Palestinian state enjoying the full sovereignty within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
On Monday, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen told the annual conference of EU ambassadors that China should use its influence on Hamas and Iran to avoid escalation in the Middle East.
However, China has repeatedly said that it is opposed to interference in other countries’ internal affairs and that it will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.
