Chinese FM calls on BRICS countries to preserve world peace, development

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday called on the BRICS countries, as a positive and constructive force on the international stage, to lead by example in becoming a bulwark for the cause of peace and development.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the call while attending the first phase of the BRICS foreign ministers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Brazilian Foreign Affairs Minister Mauro Vieira chaired the meeting, where participants discussed the role of BRICS countries in promoting peace and security.

Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, Wang said the establishment of the world organization opened a new chapter in the joint pursuit of world peace and development by countries, driving significant progress in human civilization.

Eighty years later, the international landscape is undergoing profound changes, the world has entered a period of turbulence and transformation, and the cause of world peace and development faces new severe challenges. The basic principles of international cooperation have been eroded, the foundation of international relations is facing challenges, and the international environment for peaceful development is experiencing shocks, he said. At this critical historical juncture, whether countries can make the right choices will determine the future of humanity, Wang stressed.

Wang urged the BRICS countries to uphold universal security, implement the Global Security Initiative, promote security governance through mutual respect, and build lasting peace based on fairness and justice.

He also called on the BRICS countries to active promote peace and dialogue.

China supports all efforts dedicated to peacefully resolving the Ukraine crisis, and hopes the all the parties involved will address the root causes of the crisis and hammer out a fair and lasting peace deal that is binding and accepted by all the parties concerned, Wang said.

Regarding the Middle East issue, Wang said the pressing priority is to promote a full ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, alleviate the humanitarian disaster.

The long-term solution is to advance the two-state solution, realize the peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel. China is ready to work with BRICS countries to promote long-term peace and stability in the Middle East, he said.

Wang also urged BRICS countries to continue upholding open cooperation, firmly defend the multilateral trading system, promote mutually beneficial and integrated development among countries, and support universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

China is ready to strengthen practical cooperation with BRICS countries in poverty reduction, agriculture, education, healthcare, and other areas, and provide more public goods for the Global South, he said.

The Chinese foreign minister called for enhancing practical cooperation, including fully utilizing the counter-terrorism working group to strengthen information sharing, experience exchange, and promote law enforcement cooperation and capacity building. He also emphasized building the BRICS vaccine research and development center, effectively implementing the BRICS Food Security Cooperation Strategy, and expanding cooperation in new domains such as deep-sea, polar regions, and outer space.

All parties welcomed Indonesia’s participation as a formal member for the first time in the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting and supported the series of major global initiatives proposed by China.

In the face of the complex evolution of geopolitical situations, they said that BRICS countries should strengthen unity and cooperation, oppose power politics and double standards, and advocate resolving crises and conflicts through diplomacy rather than the use of force, cooperation rather than confrontation, and multilateralism rather than unilateralism. They should join hands to defend the legitimate rights and interests of BRICS countries and the common interests of the Global South, foster a more equitable and reasonable international order, and promote an open, inclusive, and sustainable development.

Chinese FM calls on BRICS countries to preserve world peace, development

Chinese FM calls on BRICS countries to preserve world peace, development

Chinese FM calls on BRICS countries to preserve world peace, development

Chinese FM calls on BRICS countries to preserve world peace, development

Chinese FM calls on BRICS countries to preserve world peace, development

The Palestinian people in the war-torn Gaza Strip looks forward to an improved situation in the enclave particularly with the resumption of food supplies and medicines, after a deal was made between Hamas and the United States on hostage release.

The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said in a press statement that it released Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander -- who has been captive in Gaza over the past 19 months -- from southern Gaza on Monday.

The deal came separate from the Israeli government, which was not involved in such a deal.

In a press statement, the Al-Qassam Brigades said the release of Alexander followed "contacts with the U.S. administration, as part of the efforts being made by mediators to achieve a ceasefire, open the crossings, and allow aid and relief to reach Gaza people in the Gaza Strip."

The people living in Gaza hold mixed views about the action.

"What's required from America is not just the release of the prisoner, Edan. What’s required is also an end to the war on Gaza, an end to support for Israel, and an end to the bombs. Every day, we die in Gaza from American bombs. We hope the support for Israel stops, and God willing, what's coming will be better than what we’ve lived through. May this war come to an end, for good," said Ibrahim Abu Ouda, a displaced person.

The agreement comes as Gaza faces dire shortages of food and medicine. Israel halted all aid deliveries on March 2 after a provisional ceasefire with Hamas expired, exacerbating conditions in the territory. Since resuming military operations on March 18, Israeli airstrikes have killed 2,749 Palestinians, and the total death toll is at least 52,862 people since October 2023, according to Gaza health authorities.

"I'm one of the people suffering here. Of course, I hope there's some glimmer of hope that this tragic situation we're living through will change. When I see my fellow people with food, water, and medicine, I feel happy. I rejoice in seeing them relieved. And we pray, God willing, that this is a good sign, and hopefully this time they'll be sincere and fix the situation," said Tulaat Hamdan, a displaced person.

"I'm pessimistic. There hasn't been a ceasefire in this two-year war that lasted more than a day. What is one day going to do for us, really? Then they're trading a prisoner just for food. No, I want to go home. I want to return to my land," said Izhaq Shabat, another displaced person.

Earlier on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said an Israeli delegation will travel to Qatar's Doha on Tuesday for talks on a new Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, although the talks will take place "only under fire."

Israel has already declared that it will continue its war until it achieves its objectives, on top of which is eliminating Hamas, which has recently negotiated with the American administration without Israeli involvement.

Alexander is a U.S.-born soldier serving in the Israeli army, who was abducted on Oct. 7, 2023, in a Hamas-led raid on southern Israel that resulted in the seizure of 251 people as hostages and the killing of about 1,200 others.

Gazans call for end of warfare following Israeli-American hostage release