China to send envoy to Middle East over Gaza

[Joanne98]

Source: Reuter


BEIJING, Jan 10 (Reuters) - China's special Middle East envoy will return to the region in the coming days to press for a halt to fighting in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, the Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

The emissary, Sun Bigan, would visit Egypt, Gaza and Israel, spokesman Qin Gang said on the ministry's website (www. fmprc.gov.cn).

Qin expressed Beijing's serious concern about the escalating conflict, which has defied international efforts to stop it.

China is a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council but has traditionally wielded relatively little clout in the Middle East.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSPEK74405

---

OH NO! Now they got everybody's banker upset. What will happen now?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. To me, this shows a shift in world power

China is the economic giant--now it is ready to show its clout when it comes to diplomacy. And perhaps that is for the best. The Chinese don't have a history in the Middle East, nor do they have factions within their own country that are lobbying for one side or the other.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

2. Maybe, but I doubt Israel would trust China much or be willing to work with it.

China has been a trading partner with Iran and has given Iran support with its nuclear program.

[PFunk]

3. True, but China is propping up the US ecconomy big time. And the US is supporting isreal

So if China starts putting pressure of the US to get isreal to pull back. Chances are good it will eventually happen. Plus China is looking out or it;s main oil suppy (i.e Iran).

[DavidDvorkin]

9. Yes. This is a high-profile move by China to the front of the world stage.

[glowing]

4. Funny how oil and money all work so strangely.

It will be a lovely day when we can get off of oil/energy.

[Joanne98]

5. Really. China smells OIL!!!!!

[pjt7]

6. Lou Dobbs

had a thing on China's made rockets being bought by Iran & supplied to Hamas.

I never heard that angle before, as all the other "reports" say they are homemade.

[DogPoundPup]

7. Lou Dobbs...cheap slut talking head paid to enrage and instigate

rumors and smears.

[pjt7]

8. yeah yeah yeah

But, some of his finacial coverage is great.

[Mudoria]

10. Why aren't the Chinese upset about Sudan?

You know, where some actual real genocide has been going on with the Chinese supporting the murderers? Why is that? Maybe they could try some real diplomacy... but I doubt it...