China to do utmost to restore peace in Gaza: FM spokesperson

Since the outbreak of the latest Palestinian-Israeli conflict, China has striven for a cease-fire, effective protection of civilians and de-escalation of the humanitarian crisis, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday while elaborating on Chinese Ambassador Wang Kejian's recent visit to Egypt, Palestine, Israel, Qatar and other countries to cool down the situation in the Middle East.

China has maintained close communication and coordination with the Arab countries, built broad-based consensus with relevant parties in the international community, and promoted the comprehensive cease-fire with the greatest sense of urgency, Lin said.

Relevant parties widely appreciated China's just position and active efforts to achieve a cease-fire, ease the humanitarian situation, and avoid the further spillover of the conflict, said Lin, noting that "They look to China playing a greater role in deescalating the conflict and cooling down the situation."

"We have closely followed the humanitarian situation in Gaza and have already provided multiple batches of emergency humanitarian assistance to Gaza through bilateral and multilateral channels," said the spokesperson.

According to Chinese Embassy in Egypt, China has continued to provide assistance to Palestine to the best of its ability, and provided cash assistance and two batches of foodstuffs, medicines, medical supplies and other emergency humanitarian materials to the Gaza Strip through Egypt. Chinese rice for Palestine will arrive in Port Said, Egypt, on March 28 and will be shipped to Gaza through the Rafah crossing.

Lin said that China has actively encouraged all factions in Palestine to achieve internal reconciliation through dialogue and firmly supported "the Palestinians governing Palestine".

China has contributed to the UN Security Council's adoption of the first resolution in this regard since the outbreak of the conflict, released the Position Paper of the People's Republic of China on Resolving the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, and fully promoted more responsible and meaningful actions by the UNSC.

"We call for Palestine's full membership in the UN and a more broad-based, more authoritative, and more effective international peace conference to work out a timetable and road map for the two-State solution," said Lin.

China will continue to work with the international community to restore peace, save lives, and uphold justice, the spokesperson noted.