Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his country’s firm stance on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Ukraine crisis during his joint press appearance with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday.

Xi was in Paris on Sunday for a state visit at the invitation of Macron. Xi’s trip  coincides with the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties. Analysts said the visit was aimed at enhancing leadership interactions, bolster political confidence, and provide a chance for advancing stable and progressive China-Europe relations.

Xi emphasised China’s backing for a two-state solution as the pathway to enduring peace in the Middle East and called for a peace conference to facilitate dialogue between Russia and Ukraine to address the crisis in Ukraine. He highlighted the humanitarian urgency of resolving the protracted Palestinian-Israeli conflict and urged immediate action from the international community.

Xi called for concerted efforts towards an immediate, comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza. He also expressed China’s support for Palestine’s push for full United Nations membership and the restoration of its rightful national rights, underscoring the importance of reinvigorating proposals for a two-state solution.

Regarding Ukraine, Xi clarified China’s stance that it was not directly involved in the conflict but emphasised its active role in promoting peace. He mentioned the ongoing shuttle diplomacy led by  China’s special representative on Eurasian affairs to facilitate a political resolution to the crisis.

Xi also denounced any efforts to exploit the Ukraine crisis for ulterior motives or to provoke a new Cold War, stressing the importance of negotiation and dialogue in conflict resolution.

He called for renewed engagement and trust-building among all parties and expressed support for a properly timed international peace conference endorsed by both Russia and Ukraine, ensuring the equitable participation of all stakeholders and fair discussions on peace initiatives.

Xi also affirmed China’s support for establishing a balanced, effective, and sustainable security framework in Europe.

Observers commend China for its active diplomatic engagement in global crises, such as its involvement in peace efforts in the Middle East and shuttle diplomacy on the Ukraine crisis. They appreciate China’s willingness to participate in diplomatic initiatives and its emphasis on negotiation and dialogue.

China’s provides humanitarian aid to countries affected by crises, including medical assistance and economic support, and this is viewed as crucial in addressing urgent humanitarian needs and promoting stability. Beijing’s policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries is often cited as a positive aspect of its approach to global crises.

Experts believe that this stance fosters respect for sovereignty and helps prevent escalation of conflicts. China’s involvement in global crises is objective and not driven by its own strategic interests, economic or geopolitical objectives.

It is driven purely by humanitarian or peacekeeping purposes. For instance, its handling of crises, particularly its initial response to the Covid-19 pandemic, was transparent and accountable. The accuracy of official data was aligned to the global health concerns.

In a recent published interview with Al Jazeera, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that, with tother nations, Beijing will uphold the principle of indivisible security, champion the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, accommodate legitimate security concerns of all sides in the ongoing crises, and support a balanced, effective and sustainable regional security architecture.

– The writer is a PhD candidate in International Relations