Remarks on the Palestinian-Israeli Issue by China’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Fu Cong at the UN Security Council Briefing

President,

I welcome Her Excellency Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper of the UK presiding over today's meeting. I thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo, Ms. Hiba Qasas, and Mr. Nadav Tamir for their briefings. 

For 70-plus years, the Palestinian-Israeli situation has repeatedly plunged into turmoil, undermining peace and stability in the Middle East and impacting international dynamics. The fundamental reason that the Palestinian question remains unresolved to this day lies in the failure to realize the two-State solution, and an independent Palestinian state is still elusive. At present, as the Palestinian question once again reaches a critical juncture, the international community must take a responsible approach for the sake of the Palestinian people and peace in the Middle East, and must uphold fairness and justice and take strong actions. Let me make three points.

First, immediately ending the suffering of the people of Gaza is the most urgent priority. Gaza urgently needs a genuine, comprehensive, and lasting ceasefire. Any attacks on civilians are unacceptable. The UN and other humanitarian agencies, with their thorough experience and complete systems, can build a life-saving bridge for the people of Gaza. Restricting the operations of humanitarian agencies will severely exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. China calls on all relevant parties, especially Israel, to fully comply with the ceasefire agreement and stop all its attacks. We urge Israel to fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law, fully open border crossings, and lift access restrictions on humanitarian supplies, so as to guarantee aid operations by UNRWA and other humanitarian agencies. 

Second, it is imperative to advance post-war arrangements for Gaza in a steady and proper manner. Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people. Any arrangements concerning Gaza's future should adhere to the principle of Palestinians governing Palestine, respect the will of the Palestinian people, address the legitimate concerns of countries in the Middle East, and align with the two-State solution. Any actions to forcibly alter Gaza's territory and demographic composition will not bring about lasting peace and must be firmly rejected. China will continue to support Palestine's central role in Gaza's post-war governance. China supports the Council in closely monitoring the developments in Gaza and post-war arrangements and playing its due role.

Third, implementing the two-State solution is the only way forward. Recently, Israel announced multiple decisions to carry out land registration in the West Bank and expand its administrative and law enforcement measures there. These decisions violate the Oslo Accords, international law, and Council resolutions. They will lead to expansion of illegal occupation in Palestine, undermine the political foundation of the two-State solution, and aggravate the fragile situation in the West Bank and Gaza. Israel should heed the strong calls of the international community, stop its settlement activities and encroachment of Palestinian territories, and stop undermining the governance foundation of the Palestinian Authority. To implement the two-State solution and restore fairness and justice to the Palestinian people is the unshakable responsibility of the international community. We must firmly reject all attempts to annex Palestinian territories. We need to advance the early establishment of a fully sovereign, independent, Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, thereby realizing the Palestinian people's rights to statehood, survival, and return. 

President, 

China firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights. We will continue to work with the international community to promote a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian crisis, and strive for the implementation of the two-State solution and a comprehensive, just, and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question at an early date. 

Thank you, President.