BEIJING: China’s senior diplomat Wang Yi said the recent assassination of Hamas Politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh was an act that “seriously violates” basic norms governing international relations and may directly jeopardize the process of ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.
Wang, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and China’s foreign minister, made the remarks while speaking to Iranian Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri during a telephone conversation on Sunday.
Haniyeh was killed by Israel on July 31 in Tehran while on a visit to Iran for the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian.
China firmly opposes and condemns the assassination, Wang stressed.
The top priority is for the international community to join hands in urging all parties relevant to the conflict to effectively implement the relevant Security Council resolutions and create conditions for the early realization of a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, Wang said.
For his part, Bagheri thanked China for its objective stance on the matter, and said he hopes China could play a bigger role in mediating the situation in Gaza and promoting security in the Middle East.
Wang also touched on advancing cooperation with Iran in all areas, hoping to bring new prospects to the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
He said China will continue to work with the new Iranian government in giving firm support to issues concerning each other’s core interests. –The Daily Mail-CGTN news exchange item
