Xi raises four-point proposal on new security architecture for Middle East

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday raised a four-point proposal on building a new security architecture in the Middle East via upholding a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.

In his talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo, Xi said China supports countries in the region in developing good-neighborly and friendly relations.

First, Xi called for efforts to be made to foster the internal driving force for common security in the region.

People in the Middle East should remain masters of their own affairs, and external interference should be rejected, Xi said, noting that China supports regional countries in strengthening dialogue on peace and security, exploring the building of a new security architecture for the Middle East, and taking their future into their own hands.

Second, Xi said a comprehensive approach should be adopted to advance common security in the region and that given the multiple hotspots in the Middle East and their close interconnections, comprehensive solutions should be pursued.

The Palestinian issue remains at the core of the Middle East question and should never be overlooked or marginalized, he added.

Third, Xi said the foundation for common security should be strengthened through development, noting that lasting peace and stability in the Middle East fundamentally depend on development.

China stands ready to work with Middle East countries to safeguard the security of international shipping lanes, advance development cooperation, promote the convergence of interests of regional countries, gradually enhance mutual trust, and eliminate the root causes of the conflict, he said.

Fourth, Xi urged that international coordination for common security in the region should be strengthened, and the UN Charter and international law should serve as the fundamental principles for handling Middle East affairs.

The international community, especially external powers, should abandon double standards in the Middle East, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of regional countries, and safeguard regional peace and stability, Xi added.

He also urged support for the United Nations' effective role in Middle East affairs.

Sisi said that Egypt highly appreciates China's consistent, objective, and impartial stance on the Middle East question, noting that Egypt is committed to promoting de-escalation in the region, resolving conflicts and differences through political means, and advancing regional security and development.

Egypt stands ready to continue strengthening coordination with China to ease tensions in the Middle East, safeguard regional stability, and explore a regional security architecture, Sisi said.

Xi raises four-point proposal on new security architecture for Middle East

Large vehicles and heavy machinery have now entered the core disaster area of the mudslide-hit Gyirong Port in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region following a major effort to clear a key access road, enabling emergency teams to conduct deeper search and rescue operations.

Road access to the core area was restored at around 10:00 Wednesday after days of round-the-clock repair work on the G216 national highway, which was left cut off following last Wednesday's deadly mudslide on the China-Nepal border.

The disaster had damaged an almost three-kilometer section of the highway, forcing the initial rescue teams to trek through the treacherous mountain terrain for over 10 hours or take helicopters to reach the main port area.

With the route re-opened on Wednesday following days of road clearance efforts, more rescue personnel soon entered and immediately optimized their approach.

They closely followed the paths cleared by the heavy machinery, using life detectors and other specialized equipment to conduct detailed searches, while sniffer dogs were also deployed as the teams hope to find any signs of life among the piled boulders, buried buildings, and silted river channels.

Soldiers from the People's Liberation Army Xizang Military Command and the Armed Police Force also joined the operation, helping conduct clearance work and carrying out disinfection at the site.

Specialist teams are also assessing for risks and advising preventative steps to avoid secondary disasters occurring. A joint monitoring group is continually checking the barrier lake dam, upstream glaciers, and other noted landslide points to ensure the safety of ongoing rescue operations.

Temporary insurance claims services have also been launched. Insurers have initially estimated losses at approximately 450 million yuan (around 67 million U.S. dollars), and banks have provided more than 200 million yuan in emergency cash support.

The mudslide, caused by an ice-rock avalanche on the Nepalese side of the border, hit the Gyirong Port on the morning of Aug 26. It has claimed at least 21 lives and left 541 missing at the border port as of Wednesday noon, according to the regional government's latest update.

Heavy machinery enters Gyirong Port mudslide zone after road repair