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Remarks by Amb. Zhang Jun at Security Council VTC on the Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question

2020-05-20 23:59

Mr. President,

I thank Special Coordinator Mladenov for the briefing.

During our last VTC on the situation in the Middle East, Mr. Mladenov warned the Council against the dangerous prospect of annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank. He shared his concern with us again today, which is widely echoed by the international community.

We have heard the loud and clear voice of Palestinian people. The Arab League, the Non-aligned Movement, the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, and many other UN member states have also reasserted their objection in this regard.

China is also deeply concerned about reports of the plan to annex part of the occupied Palestinian territory. Such a plan, if implemented, will seriously violate international law and relevant UN resolutions, and imperil the “two-state solution”.

The “two-state solution” is the only viable way forward to solve the Palestinian Question. We urge relevant party to stop any unilateral actions, and refrain from escalating conflict and tension. It’s also our firm position that no country should back such unilateral actions. China shares the view that, the Security Council should discharge its mandate, and do its part to prevent such dangerous unilateral actions.

Mr. President,

The Palestinian question is at the root of the turbulence in the Middle East. This issue is indeed testing human conscience and international justice. Independent statehood is the inalienable national right of the Palestinian people, and it is not something for trading.

Concrete efforts must be made to implement Security Council Resolution 2334, including ceasing all settlement activities, stopping demolition of Palestinian-owned structures, and preventing violence against civilians. More efforts are also needed to advance the political process, and pave the way for early resumption of peace talk between Palestine and Israel, in accordance with relevant UN resolutions, the “land for peace” principle and the “Arab Peace Initiative”.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, we encourage Israel and Palestine to strengthen public health cooperation, and to remove blockade against Gaza. We commend UN agencies including WHO and UNRWA for helping Palestine to address the pandemic. The international community should scale up assistance to the Palestine people, including through increased financial support to UNRWA.

Mr. President,

China stands with Palestinian people in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. We have provided PPEs and test reagents to Palestine, and held several video conferences sharing know-how and experience .

The Palestinian people can also count on China’s continued support to their just cause to restore legitimate national rights. We fully support Palestine in building an independent and sovereign state on the basis of the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. We will work closely with the international community in the pursuit of comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Thank you, Mr. President.

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