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Transcript/ScriptUS China Middle East (TV)
HEADLINE: US Urges China to Use Sway Over Iran to Prevent Mideast Escalation
TEASER: China has signaled willingness to deepen involvement in facilitating a potential Israel-Hamas cease-fire
PUBLISHED: 10/16/2023 at 9:38 pm
BYLINE: Nike Ching
DATELINE: Washington
CONTRIBUTOR: Lin Feng, VOA Mandarin
VIDEOGRAPHER: none
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Aru Pande, Reifenrath, Mia Bush
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Reuters, AP, Alhurra TV, VOA Mandarin
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT:
VID APPROVED BY:
TYPE: TVR PKG
EDITOR NOTES: Video elements in frame, the footage of Khan Younis refugee camp north of Rafah in Gaza must credit ALHURRA TV https://app.frame.io/projects/ae30dd8f-b6c4-418a-b02d-530603115a58/5cb25473-fec7-4d1c-a790-8787f0b42e85
Radio track included.))
((INTRO))
[[ U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He made the early Tuesday announcement after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for more than seven hours. Meanwhile, China sends a special envoy to the Middle East to facilitate a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching has more.]]
((NARRATOR))
Israel launched a new barrage of airstrikes on Gaza on Monday as it vowed to wipe out Hamas militant control of the narrow strip of Palestinian territory. This action took place amid a diplomatic push to deliver humanitarian assistance to civilians in the area.
((NARRATOR))
On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken extended his diplomatic consultation in the region, holding talks with Israeli officials after days of meetings with other leaders in the Middle East.
[[Radio track: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken]]
((Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State))
“The United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza and them alone, including the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harm's way. It is critical that aids begin flowing into Gaza as soon as possible.”
((NARRATOR))
For its part, China is sending a special envoy to the region, signaling its willingness to deepen its involvement in facilitating a potential cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
Blinken spoke to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday, ahead of Wang’s planned visit to Washington later this month. The Chinese foreign minister spoke to his Iranian counterpart on Sunday.
The United States has warned Iran and other countries to not take advantage of the conflict.
The U.S. has also urged China to use its influence in the Middle East to prevent state or non-state actors from attacking Israel and widening its war with Hamas.
China maintains a warm relationship with Iran. In March, China bridged a normalization deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
((Radio track: Daniel Kurtzer was the U.S. Ambassador to Israel from 2001 to 2005. He spoke to VOA Mandarin via zoom))
((Daniel Kurtzer, Former US Ambassador to Israel)) ((Zoom))
“The Chinese were able to pull this off because of their relationship with both sides. China also has very significant economic and natural resource interests, the long-term contract for oil with Iran, for which it has now deployed some naval assets to ensure the security of oil and gas exports. So, in both respects, both diplomatic and economic and military, all of these respects, China's role is growing.”
((NARRATOR)) ((Mandatory CG: Alhurra TV))
Some U.S. officials are skeptical that China can broker a long-lasting political settlement to the decades-long Israeli–Palestinian conflict, pointing out that Iran is a historic supporter of Hamas. China has condemned “actions against civilians” but has not condemned Hamas explicitly.
((Radio track: Nicholas Burns is U.S. Ambassador to China.))
((Nicholas Burns, US Ambassador to China))
“Hamas does not accept the two-state solution. Hamas does not accept the state of Israel. Hamas, by its very creed, wants to destroy the state of Israel and kill Israelis. // What remains to be seen is if China has the ability to be a true mediator.”
((NARRATOR))
This week, China welcomes officials from 130 countries for its Belt and Road Initiative forum, with Russian President Vladimir Putin expected to attend, as his country’s war with Ukraine continues in its second year. Beijing has also offered to be a peacemaker in Russia's war on Ukraine.
((Nike Ching, VOA News, Washington.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
in Washington D. C.
Embargo DateOctober 16, 2023 23:12 EDT
Byline
Nike Ching, VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
