China has urged Israel to cease and reverse the "forced establishment" of settlements in the occupied West Bank, according to a statement from China's foreign ministry.

The call came from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Azerbaijan, where Wang was attending the Seventh Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia.

Wang reiterated China's long-held view that the "Palestinian question" represents the "greatest historical injustice of this century." He emphasized that the "two-state solution" remains the appropriate path forward for resolving the conflict.

Immediate priorities, Wang stated, include ensuring full access to the Gaza Strip to prevent a worsening humanitarian catastrophe. China expressed its readiness to collaborate with the international community to facilitate a return to dialogue and a political settlement.

This diplomatic engagement occurs as China seeks to increase its influence in the Middle East. In September, President Xi Jinping visited Cairo, advocating for regional countries to resist external interference and consider a new security framework.

During Xi's visit to Egypt, discussions also touched upon the ongoing conflict involving the US and Israel. Both leaders reportedly called for diplomatic solutions to achieve a "comprehensive agreement to end the war."

Previously, in March, China had criticized joint US-Israeli actions in the region, demanding an immediate halt to attacks. At that time, Wang informed his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, that the actions were particularly concerning given significant progress in negotiations between Washington and Tehran, which had addressed Israeli security concerns.

China holds significant economic ties with Iran, having been its largest trading partner and a signatory to a 25-year "comprehensive strategic partnership agreement" in 2021. This strategic positioning underscores China's growing involvement in regional affairs.