China urges Israel to halt West Bank settlements and reopen Gaza

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Israel on Thursday to stop the forced establishment of settlements in the occupied West Bank. He also called for the full reopening of access to the Gaza Strip during a face-to-face meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The talks took place on the sidelines of a conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Wang described the Palestinian question as the greatest historical injustice of this century. He told Herzog that a two-state solution remains the correct direction for resolving the long-standing conflict. Beijing has long supported the Palestinian cause and positions itself as a mediator for Middle East conflicts.

The Chinese foreign minister identified the immediate priority as fully opening access to Gaza. He warned that failing to do so would allow the continued spread of a humanitarian catastrophe for the territory's residents. Wang emphasized that peace and tranquility remain far from being achieved in the current tense regional situation.

He stated that both Israelis and Palestinians have the right to live in peace and establish independent states. Wang added that sustained commitment to peace and adherence to the two-state solution would eventually bring the awaited peace. He noted that the Palestinian issue is at the root of the broader Middle East conflict.

In a separate meeting with Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, Wang expressed firm support for the Palestinian people. He said China supports their just cause of restoring legitimate national rights. Wang asserted that lasting peace and stability cannot be achieved unless the Palestinian issue is resolved fairly.

Herzog posted on X that he was pleased to meet Wang and discussed bilateral relations. He emphasized Israel's desire for regional peace alongside security threats from Iran and its proxies. China maintains close ties with Iran and is the biggest buyer of Iranian oil despite previous US sanctions.

Wang declared that justice may be delayed but never absent for the two million people in Gaza. He pledged that China would continue to stand on the side of international justice and oppressed nations. Beijing aims to work with the international community to seek a political solution to the conflict.