Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left) meets with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Nov 28, 2023, at the UN headquarters, in New York. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

UNITED NATIONS/NEW YORK - China calls for convening a more authoritative, inclusive and result-oriented peace conference as soon as possible to set a roadmap and timetable for the two-state solution to the Palestine-Israel issue, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

China supports the United Nations in playing a leading role to that end, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, during a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday.

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a global focus, and the role of the United Nations and its actions are drawing global attention, Wang said.

Wang Yi said the key point now is whether the humanitarian pause currently in effect could be extended and whether the flames of war would resume in Gaza

On this issue, China has always been on the side of peace, on the side of human conscience, and on the side of international law, he said.

READ MORE: Xi urges lasting peace in Gaza

China supports the United Nations and the secretary-general in playing a unique and indispensable role in dealing with the issue, said Wang.

As the president of the UN Security Council for the month of November, China, maintaining close communication with Arab countries and other relevant parties, has made the Palestinian-Israeli conflict a key priority of the council, he said.

China has also received a joint delegation of foreign ministers from Arab and Islamic countries in Beijing and reached consensus on convening a high-level Security Council meeting, at which China hopes the council could speak with one clear voice, Wang said.

Wang said the Security Council Resolution 2712 is the first step toward a ceasefire and a good start toward the political settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

ALSO READ: China says to continue utmost effort to ease crisis in Gaza

The key point now is whether the humanitarian pause currently in effect could be extended and whether the flames of war would resume in Gaza, he said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Nov 28, 2023, at the UN headquarters, in New York. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

China's position is clear. First, war should not be allowed to return. A comprehensive ceasefire should be in place in order to prevent an even larger humanitarian disaster. People in captivity should be released, Wang said.

Second, humanitarian supplies should have unhindered access to Gaza. More border crossings should be made available and an effective monitoring mechanism should be established.

Guterres said there is a need to open more border crossings and simplify procedures so that humanitarian supplies can reach Gaza in a rapid and unimpeded manner

Third, the two-state solution, which is the greatest common denominator of the international community and the fundamental way out to the Palestinian-Israeli issue, should be brought back as soon as possible, he said.

READ MORE: Wang Yi to chair high-level UNSC meeting on Gaza conflict

Guterres, for his part, expressed appreciation for China's constructive role in pushing for a political solution to the Palestinian-Israeli issue and alleviating the humanitarian situation in Gaza during its Security Council presidency.

He thanked China for convening a high-level Security Council meeting on the Palestinian-Israeli issue.

The upcoming meeting, the first one for the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2712, is of great importance, said the UN chief.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains concerning. Civilian casualties, particularly of children, are unprecedented and unacceptable. The temporary pause in hostilities is not enough. Humanitarian supplies for Gaza are far from enough, Guterres said.

Israeli troops walk past destroyed buildings along the Salaheddine road which links the northern Gaza Strip with the south in the Zeitoun district on the outskirts of Gaza City on Nov 28, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

There is a need to open more border crossings and simplify procedures so that humanitarian supplies can reach Gaza in a rapid and unimpeded manner, said Guterres.

The United Nations is firmly in favor of the two-state solution as the fundamental way to solve the Palestinian question, he said, expressing the hope that the Security Council could reach more consensus on it.

Wang, on behalf of the Chinese government, mourned the deaths of UN staffers in the latest round of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. 

Push for lasting ceasefire

Wang also met separately with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and Malaysian Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir in New York on Tuesday.

During his meeting with his Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira, Wang said China and Brazil should strive for new consensus in the UN Security Council and push for a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire between Israel and Palestine, the release of captives, and a return to the two-state solution as the fundamental one to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

READ MORE: Israel receives 5th batch of Gaza hostages released by Hamas

Vieira said the Brazilian side agrees with China's position. The temporary ceasefire should be extended first and eventually the peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel should be achieved through the two-state solution, Vieira said.

Brazil is ready to work closely with China to prompt the UN Security Council to take new actions and make a unanimous and clear voice, he added.