Chinese FM and Arab League chief discuss Gaza, Taiwan

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit in Cairo on Monday. (Xinhua)
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Updated 15 January 2024
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Chinese FM and Arab League chief discuss Gaza, Taiwan

  • Wang Yi is visiting Egypt, Tunisia, Togo and the Ivory Coast until Thursday

CAIRO: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit in Cairo on Monday.

The secretary-general and the foreign minister discussed various Arab and international issues of common interest, especially the Palestinian crisis and developments in Gaza.

They exchanged in-depth views on the conflict, agreeing on several ways to ease the crisis.

Wang Yi is visiting Egypt, Tunisia, Togo and the Ivory Coast until Thursday.

Aboul Gheit received the Chinese minister, who was accompanied by a high-level delegation, at the headquarters of the league’s General Secretariat.

The Arab League chief highlighted the longstanding and strong relationship between Arab countries and China, particularly since the inception of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum in 2004.

Jamal Rushdi, spokesperson for the secretary-general, said Wang Yi was keen to host the 10th Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum in China this year, its 20th anniversary.

During the talks, Aboul Gheit warned of the enormous consequences of forced population displacement from the Gaza Strip.

He reiterated the complete Arab rejection of any forced displacement as a violation of international law, which was agreed upon by the Chinese minister.

Aboul Gheit lauded the continued support provided by China — at the political and humanitarian levels — to the Palestinian cause in international fora, especially the UN.

The Arab League chief was briefed by the Chinese minister on the Taiwan issue, especially in light of the presidential elections held in the country on Jan. 13.

Aboul Gheit described the Arab position as supporting China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, with a firm commitment to the one-China policy.

The two officials signed a memorandum of understanding between the General Secretariat of the Arab League and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It aims to establish a China-Arab think tank association that will strengthen ties between China, the Arab League, and its member states.


Spain highlights importance of Gaza reconstruction

Palestinian prime minister, Mohammed Mustafa, and the Spanish foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares. (AP)
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Spain highlights importance of Gaza reconstruction

  • Spain officially recognized Palestine as a state in May 2024, in a coordinated move alongside Ireland and Norway

RAMALLAH: The Palestinian prime minister, Mohammed Mustafa, and the Spanish foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, on Friday discussed the latest developments in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
During their telephone conversation they emphasized the need to intensify international efforts to end the Israeli occupation and halt attacks and settler violence, and to secure the release of Palestinian funds held by Israeli authorities.
They affirmed the importance of ongoing efforts relating to plans for the reconstruction of Gaza, and Europe’s significant role in this process. Mustafa and Albares highlighted the need to unify Palestinian institutions in Gaza with those in the West Bank, with the aim of establishing a Palestinian state in line with international resolutions, including last year’s New York Declaration.
They also discussed coordination between their countries, and the strengthening of Spain’s political, diplomatic and financial support for Palestine, and Mustafa thanked Spain for its ongoing support.
Spain officially recognized Palestine as a state in May 2024, in a coordinated move alongside Ireland and Norway. Estephan Salameh, the Palestinian finance and planning minister, is set to visit Spain this month to discuss enhanced cooperation, particularly in the areas of development and reconstruction. Meanwhile, Israel continues operating in the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian Prisoners media office said on Friday that Israel carried out numerous raids across the territory, including the major cities of Ramallah and Hebron, according to The Associated Press.
Nearly 50 people were detained, following the arrest of at least 50 other Palestinians on Thursday, most of those in the Ramallah area.
As 2026 begins, the shaky 12-week-old ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has largely ended large-scale Israeli bombardment of Gaza. 
But Palestinians are still being killed by Israeli fire, especially along the so-called Yellow Line that delineates areas under Israeli control, and the humanitarian crisis is compounded by frequent winter rains and colder temperatures.
On Friday, American actor and film producer Angelina Jolie visited the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. 
The only crossing between the territory and a country other than Israel, it remains closed despite Palestinian requests to reopen it to people and aid.
Jolie met with members of the Red Crescent on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing and then visited a hospital in the nearby city of Arish to speak with Palestinian patients on Friday, according to Egyptian officials.
Aid groups say not enough shelter materials are getting into Gaza during the truce.