Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun has emphasized that peace is the 'only way out' of the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine during his address at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing. This marks Dong's first in-person attendance at the forum in five years, following the Covid-19 pandemic and the dismissal of his predecessor, Li Shangfu. The Xiangshan Forum, which hosts up to 20 defence ministers and 700 delegates from around 100 countries, including defence chiefs from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Singapore, as well as US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence Michael Chase, serves as a platform for discussing international security issues. Dong's remarks align with Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent call for an international peace conference to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Xi pledged an additional 500 million yuan ($69 million) in emergency assistance and $3 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) [fac30b98].
In a related development, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for a ceasefire in the Middle East following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike. Wang urged nations to resist trade protectionism and unilateral sanctions, emphasizing the need for a just global order. He criticized US-led restrictions and called for joint resistance against economic decoupling, reiterating China's commitment to reunite with Taiwan and supporting a two-state solution for Palestine [ed6e1ebb]. Wang's speech at the UN on September 29, 2024, positioned China as a global peacemaker amidst rising tensions in Asia and the Middle East, further highlighting China's growing involvement in international security matters and its strategic interests in the region [f2d12622].
The forum's discussions and Wang's statements reflect China's diplomatic efforts to position itself as a mediator in conflicts that have drawn international attention, including a joint statement with Arab states condemning Israel's actions in Gaza. This highlights China's critique of Western policies in the region and its commitment to promoting peace and stability [fac30b98].
Meanwhile, the United States is also actively pursuing peace efforts in the region, particularly following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, which President Joe Biden views as a potential turning point to end the Gaza war. The US, along with Qatar and Egypt, is negotiating a ceasefire after a year of conflict. Despite China's rising stature in diplomacy, it has not effectively leveraged its influence in Myanmar or Sudan, where the US is leading talks. The potential for a diplomatic condominium between the US and China could enhance peace efforts, although geopolitical differences remain a significant hurdle [4afc87dc].