US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on China to use its influence in the Middle East to prevent further escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. In a phone call with Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi, Blinken stressed the importance of China's intervention in preventing other state or non-state actors from attacking Israel and widening the war. This comes as Blinken seeks to garner support for Israel among Arab nations during his diplomatic tour of the region.
The phone call between Blinken and Wang Yi took place before Blinken departed from Riyadh, where he had been engaged in diplomatic efforts to bolster Israel's position in the conflict. The call marked the first direct communication between the two diplomats since the recent spate of attacks by Hamas on Israel. Blinken's visit to the Middle East includes stops in Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
Of particular concern to the United States is the potential involvement of Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia group based in Lebanon, which could open up an additional front in the conflict on Israel's northern border. China, having close relations with Iran and having assisted in facilitating a diplomatic breakthrough between Iran and Saudi Arabia earlier this year, holds significant sway in the region.
During the call, Wang reiterated China's opposition to any actions that harm civilians and its condemnation of practices that violate international laws. China expressed the view that safeguarding a country's security should not come at the expense of innocent civilians. Wang emphasized that military means would only create a vicious cycle of violence and emphasized the need for political solutions.
Wang urged the United States to take a leading role in playing a constructive role in pushing for political resolutions. He pointed to the recent improvement in US-China relations and urged the Biden administration to respect China's core interests and major concerns. The call, lasting approximately an hour, was made possible due to the diplomatic outreach and communication lines reopened with China, including Secretary Blinken's visit to Beijing in June.
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, Blinken's appeal to China highlights the importance of global powers leveraging their influence to bring about stability and prevent further casualties. The United States is seeking to rally support from various nations, and China's involvement in the diplomatic efforts could play a crucial role in facilitating a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis.