On 15 July, Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Ming met in Beijing the Palestinian ambassador to China and the charge d'affaires ad interim of the Israeli embassy in China respectively, and held a group meeting with ambassadors from a number of Arab states as well as the director of the Representative Office of the Arab League, to promote a peaceful settlement regarding the recent developments between Palestine and Israel.

According to Zhang, China is deeply concerned and worried about the ongoing, continuous conflict between Palestine and Israel, which has led to heavy casualties. China condemns any attack against civilians and believes that the immediate priority is to achieve a ceasefire right away and create conditions for the resumption of peace talks at an early date. China highly commends the efforts made by Arab countries to promote peace between Palestine and Israel and welcomes the Egyptian initiative for ceasefire. China's Special Envoy on Middle East Affairs Ambassador Wu Sike will start another visit to Palestine, Israel and other regional countries tomorrow for further mediation.

The diplomats expressed their appreciation of China's fair and just position and the positive and constructive role China has played. They also stated their readiness to stay in close consultation and coordination with China.