Australia, Canada, UK recognize State of Palestine

Britain, Canada and Australia on Sunday announced recognition of the State of Palestine.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a video statement on social media platform X, said Britain "formally recognizes the State of Palestine" to revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution.

Starmer again called for the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, highlighting the worsening man-made humanitarian crisis in the area.

He said Britain continues to increase humanitarian support, urging the Israeli government to lift border restrictions to allow aid to flow in.

He emphasized that the two-state solution is not a reward for Hamas, but means that Hamas will have no future and no role in government or security.

Canada also issued a statement on Sunday, with Prime Minister Mark Carney announcing the country's recognition of the State of Palestine.

According to the statement, Canada does so as part of a coordinated international effort to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution.

"This recognition is firmly aligned with the principles of self-determination and fundamental human rights reflected in the United Nations Charter, and the consistent policy of Canada for generations," said the statement.

The current Israeli government is working methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established. It has pursued an unrelenting policy of settlement expansion in the West Bank, which is illegal under international law, according to the statement.

Its sustained assault in Gaza has killed tens of thousands of civilians, displaced well over one million people, and caused a devastating and preventable famine in violation of international law, read the statement. Australia formally recognizes the independent and sovereign State of Palestine, effective Sunday, according to a government statement.

"Australia recognizes the legitimate and long-held aspirations of the people of Palestine to a state of their own," said a joint media release by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

Australia's recognition of Palestine, alongside Canada and Britain, is part of a coordinated international effort to build new momentum for a two-state solution, starting with a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages taken in October 2023, the statement said.

"Today's act of recognition reflects Australia's longstanding commitment to a two-state solution, which has always been the only path to enduring peace and security for the Israeli and the Palestinian people," it said.

"Australia will continue to work with our international partners to help build on today's act of recognition and to bring the Middle East closer to the lasting peace and security that is the hope, and the right, of all humanity," the statement said.

In response to the three countries' recognition, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said on Sunday that immediate countermeasures were needed and that he would propose annexing the West Bank at the next cabinet meeting.

Australia, Canada, UK recognize State of Palestine

Australia, Canada, UK recognize State of Palestine

A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.

Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.

In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.

"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.

Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.

In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.

"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.

By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.

After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.

"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.

Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.

As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.

Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media