Beijing: Israel's actions in Gaza have gone "beyond the scope of self-defence" and the Israeli government must "cease its collective punishment of the people of Gaza", China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in remarks published Sunday.
Wang's remarks, made on a call to his Saudi Arabian counterpart HH Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Saturday, came as Israel appeared poised for a ground offensive against Hamas militants in Gaza.
"Israel's actions have gone beyond the scope of self-defence," Wang said according to a foreign ministry readout.
China has increasingly positioned itself as a mediator in the Middle East, brokering a restoration of ties in March between Saudi Arabia and key Hamas backer Iran.
"(Israel) should listen earnestly to the calls of the international community and the UN secretary general, and cease its collective punishment of the people of Gaza," Wang added in what is the strongest stance China has expressed so far on the conflict.
More than one million people in the northern part of the crowded enclave of Gaza have been ordered to flee ahead of the expected assault, an exodus that aid groups said would set off a humanitarian disaster.
Most of those killed on both sides are civilians.
Wang told HH Prince Faisal that "all parties should not take any action to escalate the situation and should return to the negotiating table as soon as possible".
On Saturday, Wang held a call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who had called on China to use its influence in the Middle East to push for calm in the region.
Wang urged "the convening of an international peace meeting as soon as possible to promote the reaching of broad consensus", according to Beijing's readout of the conversation.
