BEIJING: China called on the United Nations Security Council on Thursday to formulate a “concrete” timetable and roadmap for a two-state solution to achieve a “comprehensive, just and lasting” settlement of the Palestinian issue.

The proposal was laid out in a paper stating China’s position on resolving the Palestinian-Israeli issue released by the Chinese foreign ministry, and as China took over the rotating presidency of the Security Council for November.

The 15-member council needs to intensify its diplomatic mediation, relaunch the two-state solution and convene a “more authoritative and effective” international peace conference as soon as possible, the paper said.

It urged the council to heed the general call of the international community for a “comprehensive cease­fire” to stop the fighting.

China’s foreign minister Yi called for a lasting truce and warned the conflict could spill over to the entire Middle East region.

Published in Dawn, December 1st, 2023