On January 15, 2025, a significant milestone was reached in the Middle East as Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza. This development comes as a beacon of hope in a region that has witnessed unprecedented turmoil throughout 2024.
The preceding year was marked by intense conflicts in key Middle Eastern regions. The Israel-Palestine conflict escalated dramatically, resulting in the loss of 47,000 Palestinian lives and approximately 110,000 injuries by the end of 2024. Tensions spilled over as the Houthis in Yemen targeted ships linked to Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom in the Red Sea. Hezbollah's support for Hamas led to a Lebanon-Israel conflict, during which Israel employed remote technology to trigger explosions in thousands of radios and pagers in Lebanon. Additionally, direct military confrontations between Israel and Iran heightened regional tensions. In a rapid turn of events, opposition forces in Syria overthrew Bashar al-Assad's government in just 12 days following their initial attack on November 27, 2024.
Amidst these challenges, China has emerged as a steadfast advocate for peace and development in the Middle East. China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, emphasized the importance of utilizing the ceasefire as an opportunity for de-escalation, cautioning that it should not be merely a temporary pause before further conflicts.
China's commitment to global peace has been evident over the past year. Maintaining a fair stance on the Ukraine crisis, mediating peace talks in northern Myanmar, supporting inclusive governance in Afghanistan, and remaining dedicated to resolving issues on the Korean Peninsula, China has demonstrated a consistent approach to international diplomacy.
Specifically in the Middle East, China is well-positioned to mediate conflicts. An Arab News/YouGov poll indicated that approximately 80 percent of Palestinians surveyed view China as a potential mediator in the Israel-Palestine conflict. As the largest trading partner for major economies in the Middle East and Africa, China's economic connections have fostered friendly bilateral relationships.
China's advocacy for peace in the region is longstanding. In 2013, China proposed a four-point plan for Palestine, emphasizing the establishment of an independent, fully sovereign state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
In 2024, China took active steps to support peace initiatives. It voted multiple times at the UN Security Council and General Assembly in favor of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the establishment of humanitarian aid corridors. On May 30, 2024, the 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum was held in Beijing, attended by heads of state from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, and Bahrain. In July 2024, China invited 14 Palestinian political factions to Beijing, culminating in the signing of the Beijing Declaration, which promoted internal reconciliation within Palestine and contributed positively to the peaceful coexistence of Palestine and Israel.
As the Middle East looks toward a more stable future, China's active role in promoting peace and development offers a promising path forward. The international community watches closely, hopeful that sustained efforts will lead to lasting resolution and prosperity in the region.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
