China calls for a comprehensive and sustainable solution to the Palestinian issue.
“Seventy-seven years ago, more than half of the Palestinian people were driven from their homes during the Arab-Israeli war, and since then, they have embarked on a difficult journey of striving for their legitimate rights and interests,” Geng Shuang said at a ceremony commemorating the 77th anniversary of the Nakba at the United Nations. Now, 77 years after that event, the historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people has not only gone unnoticed but has also worsened.
Highlighting the devastating impact of the 19-month conflict in Gaza, China’s deputy UN representative said that more than 53,000 Palestinians have lost their lives and two million people are now facing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe under the escalating Israeli siege.
He added that the continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank and the escalation of settler violence are narrowing the space for the Palestinian people and are undermining the foundation of the two-state solution.
Geng Shuang stressed that the Palestinian issue is at the core of the Middle East issue and is related to the long-term peace, stability and security of the region. The implementation of the two-state solution is the only practical way to resolve this issue. The current urgency is to immediately realize a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and reduce the humanitarian disaster.
He called on the Israeli regime to abide by the resolutions of the UN Security Council and the General Assembly, respect the interim measures and advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, and immediately stop all military attacks and violations of international law, especially international humanitarian law, lift the siege of Gaza, stop settlement activities in the West Bank, and control settler violence.
The Chinese official continued: A major power with significant influence should adopt an impartial and objective stance and take concrete measures to stop the war in Gaza and reduce tensions in the West Bank.
Reiterating China’s long-standing position, Geng Shuang reiterated China’s support for an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, as well as Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations.
He also supported the Gaza rehabilitation and reconstruction plan jointly launched by Egypt and other Arab countries, and the two-state solution conference to be hosted by France and Saudi Arabia in June.
Geng Shuang said China will continue to work tirelessly with all peace-loving countries to promote the implementation of the two-state solution and the realization of a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue, so that the Day of Nakba will be forever consigned to history.