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Israel
ChinaDiplomacy

China urges US to back UN calls for Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire

  • United Nations Security Council to meet to discuss Gaza conflict
  • All members must shoulder responsibility for peace, Chinese foreign minister says

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Palestinians examine the remains of houses after Israeli air strikes in Beit Hanun in the northern Gaza Strip on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Sarah Zheng
China has accused the United States of blocking UN Security Council calls to ease tensions in Gaza, raising fears that the violence between Israelis and Palestinians could descend into all-out war.
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In a phone call with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the US had blocked a Security Council call for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

“Regrettably, the UN Security Council has not been able to reach a consensus, as the US has taken a position that stands on the opposite side of international justice,” Wang said.

“We urge all UN Security Council members to shoulder the responsibility to make the necessary efforts to effectively safeguard regional peace and security.”

Wang is set to preside over an emergency virtual meeting of the 15-member council on Sunday to discuss the issue. The meeting follows two others last week, and was delayed from Friday after objections from the US.

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Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China hoped the meeting would make progress towards having “all parties immediately stop hostilities and resume political dialogue as soon as possible”.

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