China looks to host peace conference with Israelis, Palestinians

China will host a symposium between the Palestinians and Israelis later this year, an official says, as president Xi Jinping vows to “ceaselessly” contribute towards peace in the region.

Despite depending on the volatile Middle East for oil supplies, Beijing has long taken a backseat in Middle East disputes.

But it has stepped up its diplomatic engagement in the region in the past year, including offering to host talks on the Syrian conflict.

In a meeting with his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday, Xi reaffirms China’s support for a two-state solution along the 1967 border and with East Jerusalem as its capital.

During closed door talks, Xi says China will set up a trilateral dialogue mechanism with the Palestinian Authority and Israel, and later this year will host a peace symposium to help resolve the dispute, vice minister of foreign affairs Zhang Ming tells reporters.

— AFP

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