Member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are searching for China’s support to attain a direct ceasefire within the Gaza region.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi visited the Chinese capital Beijing to mobilize support from the everlasting members of the UN Security Council.
On Monday (November 20), Marsudi was accompanied to Beijing by the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt and Palestine. OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha also attended the meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
In an announcement to the press on Monday, he said the aim of the visit was to achieve support, especially from the everlasting members of the UN Security Council, the so-called Q5. This support goals to attain a direct ceasefire and facilitate the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid.
During the visit, the participating delegation also expressed hope to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that the international community will address all violations committed by Israeli forces, including repeated violations of international law and international humanitarian law, in response to an announcement issued by the Saudi Press Agency.
The ministers stressed the importance, especially for the everlasting members of the Security Council, of ending the continuing “violations”. Meanwhile, Wang said Beijing has consistently supported the Palestinian cause.
According to an announcement from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China has been working hard to defuse the conflict, protect civilians, provide humanitarian assistance and stop humanitarian disasters. Wang also expressed support for a two-state solution and a fast resolution of the Palestinian issue.
China is one in all five everlasting members of the UN Security Council, together with Russia, the United States, France and the United Kingdom. Beijing also currently chairs the important body answerable for maintaining international peace and security.
Marsudi also emphasized that the OIC’s presence in Beijing follows on from a resolution adopted earlier this month by a bunch of Muslim-majority countries at a joint meeting of the Arab League. The resolution authorized the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, Indonesia and Nigeria to take part in international efforts to finish the violence in Gaza.
Marsudi also said that the delegates planned to make an analogous visit to Moscow the following day for a similar purpose.
China is the primary visit by an OIC delegation in an early round-the-world trip during which ministers seek to determine contacts with officials from all five everlasting members of the UN Security Council. The 4 countries which have not yet been visited are the United States, Russia, France and the United Kingdom. They are determined to steer these countries to in turn persuade Israel to finish violence in Gaza, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
Last week, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling for a direct and prolonged ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution also called for the unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas. Twelve Council members voted in favor of the resolution, while Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom abstained.
China said in the course of the meeting that the UN Security Council must have adopted a tougher resolution earlier. Beijing also stressed the necessity to end Israel’s hostile actions against civilian targets.
