China and the United States said their top diplomats discussed the conflict between Israel and Hamas in a telephone conversation, agreeing on the need to de-escalate the war, AFP reported.
According to the US State Department, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken "has reiterated the imperative that all parties work to prevent the spread of the conflict."
Blinken also raised the issue of recent attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, calling them "an unacceptable threat to maritime security and international law that all nations are obligated to uphold," according to department spokesman Matthew Miller.
Beijing said Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in turn, stressed that regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas, "the top priority is a ceasefire and an end to the war as soon as possible."
"Major countries must adhere to fairness and justice, uphold objectivity and impartiality, demonstrate calmness and rationality, and make every effort to cool down the situation and prevent larger-scale humanitarian catastrophes," the head of Chinese diplomacy said.
He also reiterated Beijing's calls for a two-state solution to the conflict, stressing that "any agreement related to the future of Palestine must reflect the will of the Palestinian people."
"China is ready to work with all countries to make efforts for this goal," Wang Yi said./BGNES
