China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, has labeled the ongoing war in Gaza as a "tragedy for humankind" and a "disgrace for civilization," urging an immediate ceasefire in a press conference held today. Expressing deep concern over the prolonged humanitarian disaster, Wang emphasized that no reason justifies the continuation of the conflict, and no excuse can justify the desperate loss of life.

China, historically sympathetic to the Palestinian cause, supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. President Xi Jinping has proposed an "international peace conference" to address the ongoing fighting, underscoring the urgency of resolving the situation. Wang stated, “The international community must act urgently, making an immediate ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities an overriding priority, and ensuring humanitarian relief an urgent moral responsibility.”

Furthermore, China backs "full" United Nations membership for a Palestinian state, with Wang stating, "We support Palestine becoming a formal member of the United Nations." He highlighted that the occupation of Palestinian territories cannot be ignored, and the long-cherished wish of the Palestinian people for an independent country must be addressed.

The conflict, now in its sixth month, beginning  on October 7 2023, triggered a massive Israeli offensive on Gaza. The toll has been significant, with more than 30,000 casualties reported. Mediators in Egypt have faced challenges in negotiating a ceasefire, while the United Nations has warned of an impending famine for Palestinians trapped by the fighting. Wang urged the international community to prioritize an immediate ceasefire and address the humanitarian crisis, stating, "The catastrophe in Gaza once again reminded the world that the fact that the Palestinian territories have been occupied for a long time can no longer be ignored."

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