Wang Yi touts China’s role as peacemaker, calls for Middle East ceasefire

UNITED NATIONS - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi sought to burnish his country’s credentials as a global peacemaker at the United Nations General Assembly on Sept 28, calling for a cessation of fighting in the Middle East and touting Beijing’s diplomatic efforts in Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Mr Wang spoke after Israel

killed the leader of Iran-aligned Hezbollah

with a massive air strike in Beirut on Sept 27, raising fears of a wider regional war in addition to the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza that began nearly a year ago.

“The question of Palestine is the biggest wound to human conscience. As we speak, the conflict in Gaza is still going on, causing more casualties with each passing day. Fighting has started in Lebanon again, but might cannot replace justice,” Mr Wang said.

“There must not be any delay in reaching a comprehensive ceasefire, and the fundamental way out lies in the two-state solution.”

China, the world’s second-largest economy, has recently stepped up its involvement in various crises, seeking to rival Washington’s traditional role as a global mediator.

In July, it hosted talks between Palestinian rivals including Hamas and Fatah in Beijing. President Xi Jinping helped

broker a March 2023 deal

to end a diplomatic rift between Saudi Arabia and Iran, leaving the US on the sidelines.

“Peace is the most precious thing in our world today,” Mr Wang said at the UN.

“For the sake of peace, a single ray of hope is reason enough not to give up. The slightest chance deserves a hundredfold effort.”

Ukraine peace plan

Beijing’s most significant peace effort is a proposal for talks to end the war in Ukraine.

With Russia’s invasion in its third year, the two sides to the conflict remain far apart on any future path to peace.

China, along with Brazil, has proposed new talks involving Kyiv and Moscow, and this week gathered Global South countries behind that plan.

At the UN General Assembly on Sept 25, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed China and Brazil’s efforts, questioning why they were proposing an alternative to his own peace formula and warning: “You will not boost your power at Ukraine’s expense.”

Mr Wang said: “China is committed to playing a constructive role, engaging in shuttle mediation and promoting talks for peace, not throwing oil on the fire or exploiting the situation for selfish gains.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin said this week that China and Brazil could act as mediators in potential peace talks.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

said on Sept 27

that China promoting its peace efforts on Ukraine, while also

helping Moscow to produce

missiles, rockets, armoured vehicles and munitions, “doesn’t add up”.

Despite the global peace efforts, China is locked in maritime disputes with some of its neighbours, who fear an increasingly bold Beijing.

Mr Xi has said China’s “reunification” with Taiwan is inevitable, and China says it alone exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait, part of the South China Sea.

Both the US and Taiwan say the strait – a major trade route through which about half of global container ships pass – is an international waterway.

Mr Wang told the assembly: “The complete reunification of China will be achieved.

“Taiwan will eventually return to the embrace of the motherland.” REUTERS