Chinese envoy meets Hamas political leader in Qatar to discuss ‘Gaza conflict and other issues’
- Wang Kejian and Ismail Haniyeh talk in first meeting between a Chinese official and the militant group since Israel-Gaza war began
- Haniyeh reportedly told Beijing’s envoy the war must end quickly; Wang said China was ‘keen on relations’ with Hamas, says newspaper
In a brief statement on Tuesday, the foreign ministry said Wang met Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar on Sunday and “exchanged views on the Gaza conflict and other issues”, without further elaboration.
The Jerusalem Post, citing Hamas, reported that Haniyeh told the Chinese envoy that the war needed to end quickly. He also said Israel must withdraw its forces from Gaza and an independent Palestinian state should be established.
According to the report, Wang said China was “keen on relations” with Hamas, which he called a “part of the Palestinian national fabric”.
Wang is the first diplomat China has sent to Palestine and Israel since the war erupted in October. Last week, he visited the West Bank and met the Palestinian Authority’s foreign minister, Riyad al-Maliki. There, he said China was renewing its call for an immediate ceasefire and a “two-state” solution as a political settlement.
Wang also held talks with Hagai Shagrir, head of the Israeli foreign ministry’s Asia and Pacific bureau, and Rachel Feinmesser, the head of the ministry’s policy research centre.
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Its foreign minister, Wang Yi, last year held separate calls with his Israeli and Palestinian counterparts while other Chinese officials have discussed the situation with various countries in the Middle East.
But China has not condemned Hamas or referred to the group as a terrorist organisation, which analysts earlier suggested might prompt countries, including Israel, to view Beijing’s efforts as unbalanced.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian on Tuesday reiterated Beijing’s willingness to work with “all parties” to ease mounting tensions and again called for a “two-state” solution.
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Xi Jinping calls for Gaza ceasefire, says two-state solution only option for lasting regional peace
Asked about Israel’s recent raid on Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, Lin described the humanitarian situation as “extremely severe”, saying an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians and avoid more casualties was the “top priority”.
Separately, Chinese state media reported that while in Qatar, Wang Kejian also met Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi. The pair discussed bilateral ties and the Gaza conflict.
Wang said China was willing to deepen communication and coordination with regional countries, including Qatar to promote a ceasefire and an end to the war.
Al-Khulaifi added that Qatar appreciated China’s “objective and fair” stance, and that it looked forward to China playing a greater role in the conflict, the report said.
