Chinese official calls for end to GCC crisis

Beijing: The Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue, Ambassador Gong Xiaosheng, highlighted the strong ties his country has with the GCC, saying the two sides have come a long way in their free trade negotiations. He added that the GCC crisis has led to a deterioration in ties among GCC members, something that came as a shock to China.

The Chinese official said that his country does not wish for any disruption in GCC ties, expressing China’s support to the crisis from within the GCC. He also stressed that a resolution to the crisis will only come through dialogue. He predicted a breakthrough in the crisis, in light of what he said were positive indicators. He called on GCC members to continue with their efforts to resolve the crisis, saying China supports all efforts in that regard.

He said that China welcomes cooperation with Arab countries at all levels, adding that the country is not seeking to establish areas of influence in the Middle East, or is it seeking agents who could fill a vacuum in the region.

On the One Belt, One Road initiative, he said that it aims to deepen and strengthen relations with the participating countries, as well as supporting the Middle East peace process. He denied accusations by Western countries, especially the United States, that China is seeking to find areas of influence in the region through this initiative. He stressed that China is committed to the principles of the United Nations with regards to not interfere in the affairs of other countries as well as to the establishment of international peace and security, as well as to make vigorous efforts to resolve the hot issues in the Middle East.

On the Palestinian issue, he stressed that it was of great importance to China and one of the most important issues in the Middle East. On the deal of the century, he said that China does not have any details on it yet but look forward to do so.

He stressed however that regardless of the changes in the Palestinian issue, China’s support for the Palestinian people will not change, highlighting the two-state solution in accordance to the Arab peace initiative as the best solution. He also pointed out that there is an international consensus on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.