China�s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin

China�s Foreign Ministry says the country will work hard to restore peace in Gaza now that it has assumed the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

China will do its utmost to encourage the Security Council to fulfill its responsibilities, play its role, build consensus, and take responsible and meaningful actions as soon as possible to ease the current crisis and safeguard the safety of civilians in order to restore peace, China�s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in a briefing with reporters on Monday.

China, a veto-wielding member of the UNSC, took over the rotating presidency of the body last week.

The country along with Russia has blocked attempts by the United States and allies to pass resolutions in the UNSC that favored the Israeli regime and approved of its ongoing aggression against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

China�s permanent representative to the UN Zhang Jun told state-run China Daily that the Israeli war on Gaza would remain top on the agenda of the UNSC in November.

It is imperative to promote a ceasefire and halt the fighting, prevent further civilian casualties, prevent a larger-scale humanitarian disaster and prevent the conflict from spilling over, Zhang said.

Chinese diplomats have become increasingly active in efforts to force Israel to accept a ceasefire that could allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza.

China�s special envoy to the Middle East Zhai Jun said during a trip to the West Asia region last week that the main reason behind the ongoing conflict in Palestine is the fact that the Palestinians have no guarantees for restoration of their rights.