Former Palestinian deputy PM applauds surge in international support for statehood recognition

Former Palestinian deputy prime minister Nabil Abu Rudeineh on Monday welcomed the growing wave of international recognition for Palestine as a sovereign state, stressing that the two-state solution with Israel remains the only path to lasting peace in the Middle East.

In an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) at the presidential complex in Ramallah, West Bank, Abu Rudeineh said they welcome the rising support for Palestine's campaign to become an independent state. The issue is a key topic at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The UN resumed the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution on Monday. The Conference reaffirmed international commitment to the two-state solution and sought to mobilize support for its implementation.

At the summit, a number of countries, including France, Monaco, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta and Andorra, officially announced to recognize Palestinian statehood, intensifying international momentum behind the two-state solution amid Israel's ongoing Gaza offensive.

So far, 157 countries of the 193 UN member states have announced their recognition of the State of Palestine.

"This change of policy towards the right direction is a good and positive decision. We are grateful for these countries, for the British and the French, and the others as well, because they give meaning to the issue of the two-state solution. This means that the two-state solution is still on the table," Abu Rudeineh.

Abu Rudeineh said they're greatly encouraged by the UN's attention to the issue at its General Assembly.

"This shows that our policy is the right policy, and we urge the Americans to follow the British and the French and all these people who you mentioned to follow suit because this is the only way for peace in the region, not just here in Palestine but in the region," he said.

Abu Rudeineh said the West was not ready to accept Palestine in the past, but things are changing.

"We have all the institutions needed for a state. The Palestinian people are ready. We have all the ministries and security branches, and our people are the most highly cultured and civilized in the Middle East. We have a state under occupation, and all of those who were hesitant to recognize us are now changing their minds. We are achieving great progress these days," he said.

A growing list of countries said it's time to recognize Palestine as a state. It's a move that Israel vigorously opposes, but one that appears to be gaining international momentum and approval.

Former Palestinian deputy PM applauds surge in international support for statehood recognition

The "soft landing" of the China-EU electric vehicle case will greatly boost market confidence and inject new momentum into China-EU cooperation in automobile trade and investment, a spokeswoman of the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said at a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

He Yongqian, the spokeswoman, made the remarks after China and the European Union (EU) agreed on the necessity of providing general guidance on price undertakings for Chinese companies exporting battery electric vehicle (BEV) passenger cars to the EU.

"China and the EU simultaneously announced on Monday that they had achieved positive outcomes following multiple rounds of consultations on the EV case, a development that has drawn wide attention at home and abroad. Industry players from both sides have 'highly welcomed and fully endorsed' the outcome, saying the 'soft landing' of the case is expected to greatly boost market confidence and inject new momentum into China-EU cooperation in automobile trade and investment. Some EU politicians have described it as a positive step toward building a sustainable China-EU trade relationship, and said it demonstrated that resolving trade differences through partnership remains feasible," she said.

"Against the current international backdrop, China and the EU, acting in a spirit of mutual respect and within the framework of WTO rules, have properly addressed the EV case, which is of significant positive importance. The outcome will not only contribute to the sound development of China-EU economic and trade ties and help safeguard the stability of the global automotive industrial and supply chains, but will also send a clear and strong signal that both sides are willing to uphold a rules-based international trading order, setting a good example for countries to resolve differences through dialogue and consultation and injecting greater certainty and positive energy into global economic growth," she said.

"China appreciates the spirit of dialogue showed by the EU side and stands ready to work with the EU, building on the current positive outcomes, to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two sides, maintain dialogue and communication, and support stable industrial and supply chains on both sides, continue to deepen cooperation on the basis of market principles, and make active contributions to the global green transition," she added.

"Soft landing" of China-EU EV case to significantly boost market confidence: MOC spokeswoman