China on Monday hailed the start of a long-awaited truce aimed at ending more than 15 months of onslaught in Gaza, AFP reports.

A spokeswoman for Beijing’s foreign ministry said “China welcomes the Gaza ceasefire agreement coming into effect”.

“We hope that the agreement will be fully and continuously implemented, and that a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza will be achieved,” Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing.

“China will continue to work with the international community to promote peace and stability in the Middle East,” she said.