China sends first envoy to Palestine and Israel in direct push for Gaza war ceasefire

China has sent its first diplomat to Palestine and Israel since the Gaza war erupted, renewing its call for an immediate ceasefire and the “two-state” solution as a political settlement, South China Morning Post reports.

Foreign ministry envoy Wang Kejian visited Ramallah in the West Bank on Wednesday, meeting the Palestinian Authority’s foreign minister, Riyad al-Maliki.

Wang told Maliki that China was “deeply concerned” about the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the extremely grave humanitarian situation, saying Beijing had “made utmost effort” to bring about a ceasefire and protect civilians.

“China will continue to work with the international community to stop the fighting as soon as possible and to make unremitting efforts to promote a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the question of Palestine based on the ‘two-state’ solution,” he was quoted by the Chinese foreign ministry as saying.

He also went to Israel on Thursday for talks with Hagai Shagrir, head of the Israeli foreign ministry’s Asia and Pacific Bureau, and Rachel Feinmesser, the head of the same ministry’s Policy Research Centre.

Wang repeated China’s call for an immediate Gaza ceasefire while urging protection for civilians and humanitarian access.

“China and Israel are innovative and comprehensive partners, and bilateral relations have developed favourably in recent years,” he said.