Chinese wisdom can play part in resolving conflict

Unfortunately, the prolonged Israeli-Palestinian conflict has divided the world into distinctive camps. China has once again stepped in with its integrated diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict and to reduce the polarization that the conflict has created in the world.

President Xi Jinping has called for a lasting cease-fire and peace. In addition, the recently published "Position Paper of the People's Republic of China on Resolving the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict" proposed five courses of action to achieve peace and a just and lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue, which has long been a cause of contention in the region.

The paper was published after China had headed a United Nations Security Council meeting on the Palestinian-Israeli issue that was attended by Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The paper clearly showcases that, as always, China stands on the side of peace and calls for an immediate, lasting and comprehensive cease-fire. China recognizes the unprecedented destruction that this conflict has caused and the huge number of civilian casualties that have occurred.

China has called on the parties to the conflict to act responsibly and to truly and completely implement the UN General Assembly and UN Security Council resolutions to reach a durable, lasting and permanent humanitarian cease-fire.

Beijing has also called for the international community, especially the UN, to build on UN Resolution 2712 and work for deescalation of the conflict, and to ensure the realization of a lasting cease-fire.

Ever since the start of the conflict, China has always emphasized that the only way for a just and permanent solution to be reached and peace to be achieved in the Middle East is through implementation of a two-state solution. It should be noted that China pleads in the paper for the establishment of an independent State of Palestine that enjoys full sovereignty based on the 1967 border.

China has also demanded that the UN immediately hold a broad-based, coordinated dialogue to cool down the tensions and to formulate a comprehensive road map for the implementation of the two-state solution. Beijing has been clear that the will of the Palestinian people must be respected and any solution shouldn't be imposed on them through force.

Furthermore, the position paper emphasizes that both sides should ensure the protection of civilians.

Not only has it condemned violent attacks upon innocent civilians and against civilian facilities, but it has also asked for complete conformity to international law. China has also shown dissatisfaction about the forced displacement of the Palestinian population and has called for the release of civilian hostages as soon as possible. It has called for uninterrupted humanitarian assistance to reach the war-torn region so that basic human decency can prevail.

The fact that the meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Wang clearly indicated that China has great sincerity in seeking a solution to the crisis.

It should be noted that while it seems that the conflict will continue, China has been very active in trying to cool down the situation. Beijing has been clear that it stands with humanity and peace and that there shouldn't be a resumption of military confrontation, and both parties should refrain from further harming innocent civilians.

Instead of adding more arms and military machines to the region, as Western powers have done so far, the international community should ensure that international laws are enforced and a road map is laid down for achieving lasting peace.

It seems that the Middle East region is inching toward more conflict through proxy wars that should be averted through pursuing peaceful establishment of the two-state solution for both Israelis and Palestinians. The ongoing war has derailed the caravans of regional peace and stability, which demands that Chinese wisdom and diplomatic efforts be respected and observed.

The author is a researcher at the Institute of Legal Studies in Lahore, Pakistan, and youth ambassador at the Center for South Asia and International Studies in Islamabad. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.