Wang raises China's role as a peacemaker, calls for an end to Mideast conflict By Reuters

Written by Simon Lewis and Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi sought to tarnish his country's image as an advocate of global peace at the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, calling for an end to fighting in the Middle East and praising Beijing's efforts to counter Russia's war on -Ukraine. .

Wang spoke after Israel killed the leader of Iran-aligned Hezbollah in a major airstrike in Beirut on Friday, raising fears of a wider regional war over the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza that began nearly a year ago.

“The Palestinian question is a big wound on the human conscience. As we speak, the conflict in Gaza continues, causing more casualties with each passing day. Fighting has started again in Lebanon, but it cannot replace justice,” Wang said. .

“There must be no delay in reaching a comprehensive ceasefire agreement, and the main way out lies in a two-state solution.”

The second largest country in the world, China has recently increased its involvement in various issues, seeking to challenge Washington's traditional role as a global arbiter.

In July, it hosted talks between rival Palestinian factions including Hamas and Fatah in Beijing. President Xi Jinping helped broker a March 2023 agreement to end tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, leaving the US on the sidelines.

“Peace is the most precious thing in our world today,” Wang said at the UN “Because of peace, one ray of hope is reason enough not to give up. A small chance is worth a hundred times the effort.”

PEACE PLAN IN UKRAINE

Beijing's biggest peace effort is a proposal for talks to end the war in Ukraine.

With Russia on the offensive in its third year, both sides of the conflict remain distant from any future path to peace.

China, along with Brazil, has proposed new talks involving Kyiv and Moscow and this week rallied South Africa behind the plan.

At the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy dismissed the efforts of China and Brazil, asking why they are proposing an alternative to his peace process and warning: “You cannot increase your power at the expense of Ukraine.”

“China is willing to play a constructive role, engage in shuttle talks and promote peace talks, not throw fuel on the fire or exploit the situation for selfish gain,” Wang said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said this week that China and Brazil could mediate potential peace talks.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday that China is promoting its peace efforts in Ukraine while helping Moscow to produce missiles, rockets, armored vehicles and weapons “does not add up.”

Despite international peace efforts, China is locked in maritime disputes with some of its neighbors, who fear Beijing will become emboldened.

Xi said China's “reunification” with Taiwan is inevitable, and China claims it alone exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait, which is part of the South China Sea.

Both the US and Taiwan claim the strait – a major trade route through which nearly half of the world's container ships pass – is an international waterway.

“The complete unification of China will be achieved,” Wang told the meeting. “Taiwan will finally return to welcoming the motherland.”