People take part in a protest against the assassination of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh in the West Bank city of Hebron, on July 31, 2024. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday denounced the assassination of Haniyeh as "a cowardly act and a dangerous development," calling on the Palestinian people to "unite, be patient and steadfast in the face of Israel," according to the Palestinian official news agency WAFA. (Photo: Xinhua)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday had phone conversations with Egyptian and Jordan’s foreign ministers, exchanging views on the situation in the Middle East, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry. 

While talking with Badr Abdelatty, Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the assassination of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran has pushed the regional situation into a more dangerous area.

China resolutely opposes and strongly condemns such assassination acts that violate the basic principles of the UN Charter, infringe on Iran's sovereignty and dignity, severely undermine efforts to promote peace, and make a ceasefire in Gaza increasingly unattainable, Wang said.

Wang pointed out that retaliatory action leads to a vicious cycle, and violence begets more violence, exacerbating conflict. There should be no double standards when it comes to the Gaza conflict. 

China's position on the Palestinian issue is consistent and clear. In response to the Gaza conflict, China has proposed a three-step initiative - achieving a comprehensive ceasefire; advancing Gaza's post-war governance under the principle of Palestinians governing Palestine; and effectively implementing a two-state solution, according to Wang.

Wang noted that China will strengthen solidarity with Arab countries, and work with all parties to avoid further escalation and deterioration of the situation.

Abdelatty expressed Egypt's deep concern over the escalating situation in Gaza and said that the assassination of Haniyeh has made reaching a ceasefire agreement more difficult and could potentially lead to a full-scale regional war.

The region cannot endure more conflict and turmoil. The international community should work together to prevent the situation from escalating, said Abdelatty.

Abdelatty also noted that Egypt highly appreciates China's important role in promoting peace in the Middle East, and is grateful for China's efforts in promoting internal reconciliation in Palestine. The Egyptian side hopes to maintain close cooperation with China to prevent further escalation of the situation.

Also on Tuesday, Wang held a phone call with Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi at the latter’s request.

Safadi said that the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has further escalated tensions in the Middle East and the situation is very dangerous. Jordan believes that the escalation of the conflict will not benefit any side, but only result in widespread suffering and loss.

Safadi said that the international community should take immediate action to avoid the escalation of the conflict, stop violations of international law, achieve a ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible, and ultimately achieve the independence of Palestine as a sovereign state through the two-state solution.

China has always maintained an objective and fair position on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict issue. Jordan is willing to maintain communication with China and expects and believes that China will play a more important role in promoting a ceasefire and stopping the war, Safadi said.

Wang said that China firmly opposes and strongly condemns the assassination, which has violated the basic norms of international relations, infringed on Iran's sovereignty, undermined the ceasefire negotiation process in Gaza, and led to further escalation of the regional situation.

Wang said that the key to avoiding the deterioration and escalation of the situation is to achieve a full and permanent ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible and the international community should make a more consistent voice on this issue and form a joint force.

Wang spoke highly of Jordan's important role in resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and achieving peace in the Middle East, and said that China is willing to maintain communication and coordination with Jordan to jointly bring relevant parties together to proceed from the overall peace situation, refrain from taking actions that escalate the situation, and resume ceasefire negotiations as soon as possible.

China will continue to stand firm with Arab countries, support all efforts that are conducive to achieving a permanent and full ceasefire in Gaza, avoid further escalation of conflicts and confrontations, and promote the easing of the situation in the Middle East as soon as possible, Wang said.

Global Times