China urges action for Middle East peace and development

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends the closing ceremony of a reconciliation dialogue among Palestinian factions and witnesses the signing of a declaration on ending division and strengthening unity by 14 Palestinian factions, in Beijing, capital of China, July 23, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

By Liu Hong

January 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a solemn reminder of the conflicts and tragedies that continue to unfold in various parts of the world, including Gaza. On January 15, 2025, Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) reached an agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza. China's Permanent Representative to the UN, Fu Cong, stated that the Middle East situation could use this moment for de-escalation, but stressed that a ceasefire should not be seen as just a pause before more conflicts.

The year 2024 has been marked by turmoil in key Middle Eastern regions. The Israel-Palestine conflict has led to unprecedented casualties. By the end of 2024, Israeli military actions in Gaza had resulted in 47,000 Palestinian deaths and approximately 110,000 injuries. The Houthis in Yemen have repeatedly targeted ships linked to Israel, the U.S. and the UK in the Red Sea. Hezbollah's support for Hamas escalated into a Lebanon-Israel conflict, during which Israel used remote technology to trigger explosions in thousands of radios and pagers in Lebanon. A direct military confrontation between Israel and Iran has escalated tensions. On November 27, 2024, opposition forces in Syria launched their first attack and overthrew Bashar al-Assad's government in just 12 days.

China has been a strong advocate for global peace, making significant efforts over the past year. It has maintained a fair stance on the Ukraine crisis, mediated talks for peace in northern Myanmar, supported inclusive governance in Afghanistan and remained committed to resolving the Korean Peninsula issue. The same commitment applies to its approach to the Middle East.

China is well-positioned to mediate the Middle East conflict. According to an Arab News/YouGov poll, around 80 percent of the Palestinians surveyed chose China as a potential mediator in the Israel-Palestine conflict. China is also the largest trading partner for major economies in the Middle East and Africa, and this economic connection has facilitated the friendly development of bilateral relations.

China has consistently advocated for peace in the Middle East. In 2013, China proposed a four-point plan for Palestine, emphasizing the establishment of an independent, fully sovereign state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In 2024, China voted multiple times at the UN Security Council and General Assembly in favor of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the establishment of humanitarian aid corridors. On May 30, 2024, the 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum was held in Beijing, attended by the heads of state from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Tunisia and Bahrain. In July 2024, China invited 14 Palestinian political factions to visit China, together inking the Beijing Declaration, which promoted internal reconciliation within Palestine and provided positive energy for the peaceful coexistence of Palestine and Israel.

The opening ceremony of the 10th ministerial conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum is held in Beijing, capital of China, May 30, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Regarding the Middle East issue, the following positions should be upheld: As one of the problems in the Middle East, the Palestinian issue matters to the peace of the region, and the two-state solution is the only way out.

Additionally, the principle of nuclear non-proliferation should be upheld in the Middle East. With Israel reportedly owning nuclear weapons, Iran having nuclear facilities, some countries in the Middle East are seeking nuclear capabilities. However, the nuclear non-proliferation principle should be followed. According to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, the goal of establishing a zone free of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East is "becoming more urgent by the day," with "regional conflicts raging and tensions reaching a boiling point."

Furthermore, relations with non-state actors in the Middle East should be managed well. Non-state actors in the region, such as Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas and Hezbollah, have the capability to influence international relations in the Middle East. These groups should be granted power but also be held responsible and accountable. Strengthened supervision by the international community is key.

Lastly, a post-war reconstruction plan for the Middle East should be considered. China can play a significant role in reconstruction, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). By the end of 2023, 20 Middle Eastern countries had signed BRI cooperation agreements with China.

As China's involvement in Middle Eastern affairs deepens, the U.S. fears Beijing may replace it as the dominant power in the region. In reality, Beijing has no intention of challenging U.S. interests in the region. Its primary focus remains on fostering mutual benefits between China and the Middle East. As Martin Jacques pointed out, when it comes to dealing with the Middle East, the West should learn from China.

Looking ahead to 2025, the situation in the Middle East could face growing uncertainties. With Donald Trump returning to office, U.S. policy in the region is expected to become more unpredictable. However, China will continue to uphold its consistent stance on the Middle East, promoting ceasefire for peace, fostering development, and contributing to the peaceful and stable development of China and the Middle East.

Liu Hong, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a research fellow at Center for China and Globalization.