(February 18, 2011) 

China voted in favor of the draft resolution drawn up by Arab States on the Israeli settlements. We deeply regret that the draft resolution was not adopted.

China has always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people to gain legitimate national rights.

At present, Israel continues to build settlements, which has become a major obstacle to mutual trust and the resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel.

China resolutely opposes Israel’s construction of settlements and the separation wall in the occupied Palestinian territory, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem. We firmly support the legitimate demands of the Palestinian people.

China has always maintained that, on the basis of the relevant United Nations resolutions, the principle of land for peace, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Road Map to Middle East peace, Palestine and Israel should conduct dialogue and negotiations to settle differences so as to ultimately establish an independent State of Palestine, with the two countries living side by side in peace.

China supports the Security Council playing its due role in the Middle East peace process. We also hope that the Quartet meeting to be held on the question of the Middle East will achieve a positive outcome and will help break the stalemate in the Middle East process.