Chinese state media reported that Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen in a phone call on Monday that Beijing would do its best to contribute to Palestinian-Israeli reconciliation.

The media also quoted him as saying that China would strongly support any decision that leads to peace, and he described the conflict as “a major choice between war and peace,” according to what was reported by Reuters news agency.

Wang also called on Israel to take effective measures to protect the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions there, adding that "all countries have the right to self-defense, but they must abide by international humanitarian law and protect the safety of civilians."

China condemned acts of violence and attacks on civilians in the conflict, and while Wang declared that Israel's actions "go beyond the scope of self-defense," he did not mention the Hamas movement by name in his statements.

Security and efforts to stop war and promote peace, not weapons or geopolitical calculations.

Wang said China calls for a “more decisive, more effective and broader international peace conference” to be held as soon as possible to promote the resumption of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

He added, "The UN Security Council must carry out its responsibility effectively, the international community must move quickly, and countries outside the region, especially the major powers, must be objective and impartial."

The crisis has placed China and Russia in separate camps from the United States on the conflict.

China and Russia share the same position that the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people have not been met. While the United States condemned the Hamas attack, it fully supports Israel's right to defend itself.

Source: Al- Sharq Al Awsat