Arab states urge China to ‘play greater role’ in bringing peace to the Middle East

More than 20 Arab diplomats meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing in call to help ease regional tensions

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (front row, centre) with diplomats from several Arab nations in Beijing on Thursday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 4:04pm, 20 Dec 2024Updated: 6:29pm, 20 Dec 2024

China has been urged to “play a greater role” in bringing peace to the Middle East, with more than 20 Arab diplomatic envoys meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.

“The situation in the Middle East has changed suddenly, and the people in the region are suffering. We expect China to play a greater role in easing the situation,” the envoys were quoted as saying by a Chinese foreign ministry statement issued after the meeting on Thursday.

Wang stressed that the region belonged to its people and should not “continue to become an arena for big countries to play power games”, warning that it should not fall victim to geopolitical rivalry.

On the Palestine issue, he called for a “comprehensive ceasefire” and permanent troop withdrawal from Gaza, and a resolution based on the “two-state solution”.

On Syria, Wang urged all parties to maintain the long-term interests of the country and its people through an open and inclusive political process to prevent terrorism from resurfacing.

Meanwhile, the United States has revealed that it has 2,000 troops in Syria, more than double the previously disclosed number, and Israeli air attacks continue on Gaza – with strikes also on Syria and Yemen.