Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated Beijing’s stance that a two-state solution is the 'only path' to lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace during a call with Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty on Saturday. The discussion followed Wang’s return from the G20 summit in South Africa, with both ministers addressing Gaza’s escalating crisis.
Abdelatty outlined Egypt’s efforts to enforce a ceasefire and coordinate Arab-led reconstruction plans, stressing Cairo’s opposition to forcibly displacing Palestinians. He urged China—the current UN Security Council President—to leverage its global influence to support peace efforts. Wang confirmed Beijing’s alignment with the Arab states on the Gaza issue, rejecting displacement and calling for full ceasefire compliance.
'Gaza is Palestinian land', Wang stated, insisting post-conflict governance must reflect Palestinian self-determination. He praised Egypt’s mediation role and emphasized that reconstruction plans should prioritize Palestinian sovereignty. Both sides agreed that without effectively implementing a two-state solution, tensions would persist.
The call highlighted China’s deepening engagement in Middle Eastern diplomacy as it seeks to position itself as a neutral broker. Wang, a senior Communist Party official, noted China’s 'comprehensive strategic partnership' with Egypt, mentioning Beijing as a staunch ally for Middle Eastern nations. The ministers also discussed stabilizing conflict zones in Sudan and Syria.
The exchange comes amid stalled international efforts to revive Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, with Gaza’s humanitarian crisis worsening. While Western powers remain divided, Arab states increasingly view China—a permanent UNSC member with no historical ties to the region’s colonial past—as a potential counterweight in mediating the decades-old conflict.