China urges Israel to halt West Bank settlement expansion

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on the sidelines of an international conference, calling on Israel to stop what China described as the forced establishment of West Bank settlements. Wang Yi urged Israel to halt actions that undermine the prospects for a two-state solution and lasting peace in the region.

China's stance on Middle East

China has sought to position itself as a neutral mediator in the Middle East conflict. Wang Yi's comments to Herzog represent Beijing's clearest recent statement on Israeli settlement policy in the occupied West Bank. China has also maintained diplomatic ties with Palestinian leadership and called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Context of the conversation

The exchange took place on the sidelines of a diplomatic conference. China said it supports a comprehensive peace plan for the region based on international law and UN resolutions, calling on all parties to show restraint and avoid actions that escalate tensions.