China plays peace broker in Gaza crisis

China has once again demonstrated its responsibility as a major country by upholding a balanced and objective stance on the Gaza conflict, as Foreign Minister Wang Yi held separate phone calls on Monday with his Israeli and Iranian counterparts in a bid to de-escalate the crisis and restore peace at an early date.

The diplomatic efforts came amid rising regional tensions and the spillover effects of the Gaza conflict. Israel is reportedly planning a retaliatory strike against Iran, after Iranian attacks earlier this month in response to Israel's ground offensive in southern Lebanon.

During the calls, Wang urged all parties to exercise caution, avoid further escalation of violence and make more efforts to safeguard regional peace and stability.

He told Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz that renewed conflict and turmoil in the region serves no one's interests, urging all parties to proceed with caution to prevent falling into a vicious circle.

"China is not self-interested in the Middle East and never engages in geopolitical contest," Wang said, adding China has always stood on the side of peace, international law and truth.

He reiterated China's commitment to playing a constructive role in de-escalating the situation and restoring peace in the region.

Talking to Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, Wang said China has always advocated resolving hot spot issues through dialogue and consultation and opposed "exacerbating tensions, expanding conflicts and taking military adventures".

Araghchi said Iran is deeply concerned about the risk of an overall escalation of the current regional situation and does not want to see a further expansion of the conflict.

Iran highly values China's influence in international affairs and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to cool down the situation through diplomatic means, Araghchi said, adding Israel should avoid taking risks and proceed cautiously.

Wang said China will proceed from the merits of the issue, strengthen communication among all parties and build a broader international consensus.

Analysts warned that the current regional security dilemma and the failure of dispute management and control mechanisms may lead to more parties being involved in conflicts that risk spiraling out of control. They said China's impartial stance positions it as a natural and fair mediator in such geopolitical crises.

"While at present there is no reliable communication channel between Iran and Israel, China has stood up as a reliable mediator to promote peace talks, as it has never chosen any side in the conflict," said Li Zixin, an assistant research fellow at China Institute of International Studies.

"In fact, Beijing has kept quite good relationships with the two countries," Li added.

Mutual interests

Regarding bilateral relations, Katz said during the phone call with Wang that developing ties with China is an established policy for Israel, one that serves the mutual interests of both countries. Wang also expressed hope of resuming exchanges in all aspects as soon as possible when the situation eases.

In their phone conversation, both Wang and Araghchi pledged to maintain exchanges at all levels and promote practical cooperation.

Li said, "The friendly relations between China and both Israel and Iran will not change despite the current regional turmoil."

Li Shaoxian, director of the China-Arab Research Institute at Ningxia University, said China, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, is a crucial force in promoting peace in the Middle East.

"At this critical moment, China's timely communication with Israel and Iran — both of which can influence the future direction of the situation in the Middle East — fully shows that Beijing is trying its best to cool down the situation," he said.