Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks to the media after chairing a high-level UN Security Council meeting on “Practicing Multilateralism, Reforming and Improving Global Governance” in New York on February 18, 2025. --Photo Chinese Foreign Ministry.

As world focuses on Ukraine, hotspot issues like Gaza conflict shouldn’t be marginalised

(Global Times) -- Although the international community is currently focused on the Ukraine issue, global concerns extend beyond Ukraine, with numerous pressing issues, including the Gaza conflict, that demand international attention and should not be marginalised, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi when asked about China’s view on the postponement of the second phase of negotiations on the Gaza issue, after a UN Security Council meeting in New York on Tuesday local time.
As China is the rotating President of the UN Security Council for February, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, chaired a high-level UN Security Council meeting under the theme of “Practicing Multilateralism, Reforming and Improving Global Governance.”
In response to questions about China’s stance on the Gaza conflict after the meeting, Wang said behind the Gaza conflict lies the long-unresolved Palestinian issue. “It has been over 70 years since the UN passed a resolution to establish two states, Palestine and Israel, yet only half of the two-State solution has been implemented. While the state of Israel was established long ago, the Palestinian people still do not have their own state, with many displaced and living as refugees,” Wang said.
China calls on all parties to expedite the implementation of the two-State solution and supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, Wang told reporters, urging all parties in Palestine to implement the Beijing Declaration to achieve unity and self-reliance; parties in the Middle East to bridge differences and support the establishment of a Palestinian state; and the UN to take action to admit Palestine as a full member state.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Tuesday that Israel would begin “this week” negotiations on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, Xinhua News agency reported. During a press briefing, Sa’ar said the talks would include the exchange of the remaining Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip and Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails.
Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, which has been in effect since January 19, Israel was supposed to begin the talks on the second phase of the ceasefire with Hamas on February 3.
Wang said that Gaza must not be sacrificed to international political maneuvering, and parties involved should continue to implement the ceasefire agreement and advance follow-up negotiations with a constructive attitude.
Post-war governance in Gaza should be guided by the principle of “Palestinians governing Palestine” and align with the two-State solution to ensure peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel and lasting peace in the Middle East, Wang said.

(Latest Update February 20, 2025)