China hopes ICC to uphold objective view on Palestine-Israel conflict
China hopes ICC to uphold objective view on Palestine-Israel conflict
China said on May 21 that it hopes that the International Criminal Court will uphold an objective and fair stance and exercise its powers in accordance with the law after the ICC applied for arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders.
Chinese experts told Chinese state media that the ICC seeking Israel and Hamas warrants serves more of a symbolic pressure as its enforcement mechanism faces challenges. Yet, they noted the move will still increase moral and public pressure against Israel, leading to greater scrutiny under international law.
According to Al Jazeera, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan said on May 20 that his office had applied for arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders for alleged crimes committed during the Hamas-led October 7 attack on southern Israel and Israel’s subsequent war on Gaza.
Regarding the arrest warrants, Chinese Foreign Ministry said that “We have noted relevant reports. We want to stress that the international community has overwhelming consensus on the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and ending the humanitarian crisis suffered by the Palestinians.”
Wang meets Iranian deputy FM, vowing support
Following the tragic helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and several other officials on Sunday, Chinese and Iranian officials have reiterated their resolution to continue to strengthen the strategic cooperation between the two countries, as medias from both ends noted that the passing of Raisi will not affect the overall direction and development of China-Iran relations, nor will it bring about fundamental changes in Iran’s domestic politics.
On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mahdi Safari who represents Iran to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Astana. Wang once again expressed his condolences and sympathy for the unfortunate passing of Raisi and Abdollahian. ”
Regardless of how the situation may change, China will continue to strengthen strategic cooperation with Iran, safeguard common interests and make efforts for regional and global peace,” Wang said.
Safari thanked Chinese side for its steadfast support to Iran, and emphasized that Iran’s domestic and foreign policies will not change. “Iran attaches great importance to its relations with China and is committed to enhancing cooperation in various fields such as politics, economy, and culture,” he said, stating that Iran is willing to continue the relevant processes and work toward improving relations with regional countries.
China sanctions former US lawmaker
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday that it will take countermeasures in accordance with the law against Mike Gallagher, a former US Representative from Wisconsin and former US congressman, for his frequent words and actions over the past years that have interfered in China’s internal affairs, in other words: Taiwan.
The countermeasures consist of freezing of the former US lawmaker’s movable, immovable and other types of assets in China, prohibiting organizations and individuals in China from engaging in relevant transactions and cooperation with him, and denying visas and entry into China, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.
Gallagher, who previously served as chairman of the House of Representatives Select Committee on China, has pushed through a series of anti-China bills including one forcing Chinese tech company ByteDance to divest short-video app TikTok or see it banned in the US.
He also led a congressional delegation to visit China’s Taiwan region in February and declared during the trip that no matter who wins the upcoming US election, support for Taiwan will not change, Chinese media previously reported.