Gaza ceasefire significant step to ease tension: Chinese FM

BEIJING - The indefinite ceasefire in Gaza is a significant step to ease tension and people's suffering in the region, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday.

During a meeting with visiting Sudanese Foreign Minister Ahmed Ali Karti, Wang called for resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel as soon as possible.

"China welcomes Palestine and Israel's ceasefire agreement and praises the unremitting efforts made by Egypt and others involved, " he said.

China sincerely hopes Palestine and Israel put peace first, center on the people and earnestly safeguard the ceasefire, Wang said. He urged both sides to view the ceasefire as an opportunity to seek an impartial and reasonable solution at the earliest date possible.

China has promoted peace talks through multiple channels since the new round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict erupted. Wang himself put forward a five-point peace proposal on settling the conflict during his visit to the Arab League in August. China's special envoy on Middle East Affairs, Wu Sike, has paid several visits to the region for mediation.

"China also has offered humanitarian aid within available resources to the Gaza people," the minister said. "China is a strong supporter and sincere mediator for the Palestinian-Israeli peace, ready to make further efforts for peace and stability in the region."