China has said it supported steps by the UN Security Council to end fighting in Gaza, while not saying whether Beijing, a permanent council member with veto power, would support a US draft resolution on the need for an immediate ceasefire, AFP reports.

“China supports the Security Council in taking further responsible and meaningful actions as soon as possible to make unremitting efforts to end the fighting in Gaza at an early date,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said.

The United States, which has repeatedly blocked calls for a truce in Gaza, will today submit for a vote a draft to the Security Council on the need for “an immediate ceasefire”.

Asked today whether it supported the resolution, Beijing demurred. “The international community expects the Security Council to earnestly fulfil its responsibilities,” Lin said.

“On the Palestinian-Israeli issue, we must respect history and facts, listen to and respect the position and voice of the majority of Arab countries, realise a ceasefire and end of fighting as soon as possible,” he added. “This is the yardstick by which we measure the Security Council’s actions and decisions,” he said.