China sends mediator to Israel and Palestine for talks on Gaza ceasefire

China has sent its special envoy on Middle East affairs, Wu Sike, to Israel and the Palestinian territories to mediate the conflict there, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He will also visit other countries in the region.

Wu is seeking ways to ease tensions in the area and urge both sides to agree an immediate ceasefire, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei.

Xiao Xian, an international relations expert at Yunnan University, said China had previously been keeping an eye on the Palestine-Israel situation in a low-profile manner. But recently Beijing became more open in its efforts.

On Tuesday, Deputy Foreign Minister Zhang Ming met the Palestinian ambassador to China, Ahmad Ramadan, and Dana Benvenisti from the Israeli embassy to express deep concern about the conflict.

Zhang later called for a peaceful settlement of the conflict during a meeting with ambassadors from several Arab states and Arab League representative Ghanim Taha Ahmed al-Shibli, according to the Foreign Ministry.

"On one hand, both Israel and Palestine need China [to mediate]; on the other hand, China wants to play a role in the Middle East too, to gain a stronger voice in the peace process and guarantee the state's energy interests," Xiao said.