China intensifies efforts for cease-fire

China has intensified its calls for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza as the government's special envoy on the Middle East issue Zhai Jun met with his European Union counterpart Sven Koopmans on Saturday in Beijing amid rising tensions.

During the meeting, the two diplomats expressed their joint willingness to improve the situation and ease the humanitarian crisis.

China urges parties concerned to earnestly implement the just-adopted United Nations Security Council resolution and achieve an immediate cease-fire, Zhai said, stressing that this is a prerequisite for resolving all issues.

He emphasized that a political settlement based on the "two-state solution" is the only way out of the Palestinian question.

He expressed concerns over the shocking humanitarian situation and continuous spillover effects, and called for ensuring that relief supplies reach the people of Gaza in a fast, safe, unimpeded and sustainable manner.

As important forces in maintaining world peace and stability, Zhai said China and the EU should make unremitting efforts to promote an early, comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question.

Koopmans echoed Zhai's comments, saying the UNSC resolution on a Gaza cease-fire is binding and must be effectively implemented.

As the ongoing Gaza conflict serves no interests of any parties, the representative said the pressing need is to achieve a cease-fire and prevent it from evolving into a regional war.

The EU is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China to advance the Middle East peace process, he said.

He also voiced the bloc's appreciation of China's critical role in easing the situation and promoting peace talks.

Since the outbreak of the current round of conflict, China has been committed to promoting a cease-fire to protect civilians and alleviate the humanitarian crisis.

The meeting with the EU official was Beijing's latest mediation effort after its diplomat Wang Kejian concluded his tour to Egypt, Palestine, Israel, and Qatar last month with the aim of improving the situation in Gaza.

China has always actively promoted the political settlement of the Palestine-Israel conflict and objected to setting preconditions for the cease-fire, said Li Zixin, an assistant researcher at the China Institute of International Studies.

Li also said parties concerned should fulfill their obligations and take due action as required by the UN resolution.