Chinese envoy urges immediate, lasting ceasefire in Gaza

China

Chinese envoy urges immediate, lasting ceasefire in Gaza

2025-05-29 13:35 Last Updated At：05-30 00:47

A Chinese envoy on Wednesday stressed the urgency of achieving an immediate and lasting ceasefire and easing the humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip.

Speaking at a United Nations Security Council briefing, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, pointed out that the implementation of the two-state solution is the only viable way to resolve the Palestinian question, calling on the international community to step up its efforts to promote the political process of the two-state solution.

Since May 16, Israel has continued to intensify its military offensive in Gaza, which has completely destroyed large densely populated areas and caused the deaths of more than 1,000 Gazans in the past two weeks alone, Fu noted, adding the war had claimed the lives of more than 54,000 people in Gaza over the past 600 days.

The Security Council and the General Assembly have adopted multiple resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire, but the conflict has not yet subsided, Fu said.

"Even wars have rules. Compliance with international humanitarian law is an undeniable obligation of all parties. In Gaza, however, we have witnessed the red lines of international law and the bottom line of human morality being repeatedly violated and breached. Humanitarian assistance has been weaponized, with 2 million people plunged into extreme hunger as a result of the prolonged blockade. Schools, hospitals, refugee camps, and UN facilities have been targeted. Journalists and humanitarian workers have been mercilessly killed," Fu said.

Changing the demographic and territorial composition of Gaza, as well as settlement activities, are in violation of the Security Council resolutions and international law, and the annexation of Gaza and the West Bank will completely take away the prospects for peace in the Middle East, Fu said.

The Chinese envoy firmly reiterated that a durable ceasefire in Gaza cannot be delayed, and that Israel must immediately cease all military operations.

Alleviating the humanitarian catastrophe is an immediate priority, Fu added, urging Israel to lift the blockade, fully restore humanitarian supplies access, and support the UN and other international humanitarian organizations in their efforts to provide assistance.

"The United States, as a country with significant influence over the party involved, should act in a fair and responsible manner and take effective and forceful actions. The Security Council shoulders the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Algeria and other members of the Council are currently working on a new draft resolution. China supports the Council in taking effective actions to promote a durable ceasefire and alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe," Fu said.

China hopes the high-level conference on the implementation of the two-state solution to be held in June will provide fresh impetus to the prospect for realizing the two-state solution, Fu said, pledging continued joint efforts with the international community to quell the fighting in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe, and realize a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the Palestinian question.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.