25-10-2023 (NEW YORK) In a pivotal diplomatic effort, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, emphasizing his commitment to collaborating with China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, in order to prevent the escalation of the Middle East conflict. The high-stakes meeting between these two global powers is scheduled for later this week.
The call to action comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions triggered by the attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel, which commenced on October 7. Blinken urged the 15-member council, with a particular appeal to the permanent members, to take up the mantle of responsibility in containing the conflict. He issued a stern warning to Iran and its regional proxies, cautioning them against opening additional battlefronts.
In his address, Blinken stated, “Members of this council, and permanent members in particular, have a special responsibility to prevent this conflict from spreading.” He expressed his eagerness to work hand in hand with his Chinese counterpart from the People’s Republic of China during their upcoming meeting in Washington, scheduled for later this week.
Mr. Wang is set to touch down in the United States on Thursday, where he will engage in discussions with Mr. Blinken. Also on the agenda is a meeting with US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan. These talks are part of Washington’s broader efforts to ensure that the intense rivalry between the world’s two largest economies, coupled with their disputes on various fronts, such as trade, Taiwan, and the South China Sea, remains within diplomatic bounds.
US officials have another crucial aim for this meeting: they intend to leverage Beijing’s influence to help curtail the expansion of the Middle East conflict. Given the precarious situation and the strong emotions stirred by Israel’s military actions and blockade in response to Hamas attacks, particularly in Muslim-majority nations, the fear of a broader conflict looms large. The United States, hence, seeks to prevent any imminent ground offensive that could potentially ignite a larger conflagration.
China has maintained a consistent call for restraint and an immediate ceasefire in response to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. Simultaneously, it has sharpened its criticism of Israel’s actions, reflecting a delicate balancing act in its approach to the conflict.
