Chinese, Egyptian FMs held phone talks on bilateral ties, Mideast situation

BEIJING, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday held a phone conversation with Badr Abdelatty, Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Egypt has achieved significant development and is at its best period in history.

Noting that Egypt has an important position in China's overall diplomatic strategy, Wang said President el-Sisi's state visit to China in May was successful, during which the two heads of state laid out a blueprint for the development of bilateral ties.

China and Egypt should seize this opportunity to fully implement the important consensus reached by the two leaders, and work towards building a China-Egypt community with a shared future in the new era, said Wang.

Abdelatty noted that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership, and cooperation between the two sides in various fields is showing positive momentum.

Egypt is willing to work with China to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and strengthen high-level exchanges, in a bid to elevate bilateral relations, display broader prospects, and bring more benefits to the people of both countries, he said.

The two sides also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East.

The Gaza conflict, which has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, is a focal point of concern for the international community, said Wang, adding that despite the United Nations Security Council's adoption of a ceasefire resolution, hostilities have yet to subside.

Wang said the assassination of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran has pushed the regional situation into a more dangerous height, adding that China resolutely opposes and strongly condemns such assassination acts that violate the basic principles of the UN Charter, infringe on Iran's sovereignty and dignity, severely undermine efforts to promote peace, and make a ceasefire in Gaza increasingly unattainable.

Retaliatory violence leads to a vicious cycle, and responding to violence with violence only exacerbates tensions, said Wang, noting that double standards should not be applied to the crisis in Gaza, and China's position on the Palestinian issue has always been consistent and clear.

In response to the Gaza conflict, China has proposed a three-step initiative: achieving a comprehensive ceasefire, promoting post-war governance in Gaza under the principle of "the Palestinians governing Palestine," and effectively implementing the two-state solution, Wang noted.

He also pointed out that China will continue to stand on the side of international justice, strengthen solidarity with Arab countries, and work with all parties to avoid further escalation and deterioration of the situation.

Abdelatty expressed deep concern over the escalating situation in Gaza, emphasizing that the assassination of Haniyeh further complicates efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement and may even lead to a full-scale regional war.

The Middle East can no longer bear more conflict and instability, and the international community must work together to prevent further escalation of the situation in the region, he said.

Abdelatty noted that Egypt highly appreciates China's important role in promoting peace in the Middle East, and is grateful for China's efforts to promote internal reconciliation in Palestine.

The Egyptian side hopes to maintain close cooperation with China to prevent further escalation of the situation, he added.