China's permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) on Thursday called for global efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question.
China is willing to work with the international community to push for a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian crisis, and implement the two-state solution, Fu Cong said at a UN Security Council meeting on the Palestinian question.
The Gaza ceasefire agreement reached in last October has led to some improvements in the situation. However, the ceasefire has yet to bring true peace as attacks and casualties continue, Fu said.
He stressed that the international community needs to build broader consensus and make more proactive efforts.
China calls upon all relevant parties, particularly Israel, to fully comply with the ceasefire agreement and achieve a truly lasting ceasefire in Gaza. The guarantors of the ceasefire agreement and relevant parties with significant influence should take more active actions to uphold the ceasefire, Fu said.
On the humanitarian issue, China urges Israel to fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law as the occupying power. Israel must lift restrictions on the entry of humanitarian supplies, allow urgently needed medicine, fuel and shelter materials to enter Gaza, and effectively safeguard the privileges, immunities, and normal operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), said the Chinese envoy. Regarding the post-war arrangement in the Gaza Strip, the international community must pool greater efforts to revive the prospect of the two-state solution. This includes rejecting any unilateral actions that erode its foundation and opposing any attempts to change the population or territorial structure of Gaza, he said.
Furthermore, Israel should abide by international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2334, cease settlement activities in the West Bank, curb settler violence, and ensure serious accountability is enforced, he said.
"The two-state solution is the only viable way out for the Palestinian question. Any arrangement or establishment of a new mechanism must adhere to the principle of 'Palestinians governing Palestine,' respect the aspirations of the Palestinian people, and contribute to, rather than undermine, the two-state solution," Fu said.
Chinese envoy calls for comprehensive, just, lasting settlement of Palestinian question
