China is sending 60,000 food parcels to the Gaza Strip via Jordan to ease the enclave's dire humanitarian situation, and calls for sustained attention and increased support from the international community, said a Foreign Ministry spokesman on Wednesday.
Asked to comment on the upcoming second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement at a press conference in Beijing, spokesman Guo Jiakun quoted Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's recent remarks at the UN headquarters, stressing the importance of the two-state solution. "As Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed at the U.N. headquarters in New York, the Gaza conflict should not be sidelined and requires adequate international attention. China believes that the pressing priority is to encourage parties involved to implement the ceasefire agreement in a continued and effective manner and advance the following negotiations with a constructive attitude," said Guo.
"It is important to uphold the principle of “the Palestinians governing Palestine” in the post-conflict governance of Gaza and let the Palestinian people rebuild their homes on their own territory. In the long run, the ultimate solution to the Palestinian question lies in returning to the right track of the two-State solution and realizing the peaceful coexistence and common development of Palestine and Israel," he added.
"Meanwhile, the severe humanitarian situation in Gaza also needs greater and continuous attention and support from the international community. Recently, the Chinese government has provided Gaza with humanitarian emergency aid, consisting of 60,000 food parcels, which will be transported from Jordan. The initial shipment, which includes about 12,000 food parcels, was sent out. As a responsible major country, China will continue to work with the international community to make relentless efforts for the deescalation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the lasting peace and security in the Middle East," said the spokesman.
The humanitarian assistance provided by China will be transported from Jordan to Gaza via land borders.
The initial shipment will be handed over to the World Food Programme, the Palestine Red Crescent, and other relevant organizations upon arrival in Gaza.
Israeli Foreign Minister said Tuesday that Israel would begin "this week" negotiations on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
China sends humanitarian aid to Gaza, calls for more int'l support: spokesman
China sends humanitarian aid to Gaza, calls for more int'l support: spokesman
