Madam. President,

I thank Special Coordinator Mladenov for his briefing.

China closely follows the current tensions in Palestine and is particularly concerned about the risk of a potential escalation of conflict in Gaza. We hope that the relevant parties, Israel and Palestine, will remain calm, exercise restraint, work towards the same goals, cease military action and take concrete measures in order to achieve progress in de-escalation.

China has continued to call for the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli dispute through peaceful negotiations. China opposes all violence, which leads to a deterioration of the situation and targets civilians. The Security Council and the relevant parties should aim to achieve peace and tranquility and strive to create the necessary conditions for stabilizing the situation and resuming dialogue. China’s Special Envoy on the Middle East issue visited Palestine and Israel recently and met with Special Coordinator Mladenov. The two sides held an in-depth exchange of views on the Palestinian issue, in particular the current situation in Gaza, and conveyed the importance of ongoing progress in the Middle East peace process.

Madam President,

The Palestinian question is at the core of the situation in the Middle East. It is an underlying issue for the attainment of peace in the region. Under the current circumstances, the long-delayed resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel is highly urgent and necessary. The international community should do its utmost to promote the resumption of talks and reach a comprehensive, just and lasting solution as soon as possible. That is the only way to achieve peace between Palestine and Israel and to guarantee stability and security in Gaza.

The international community should continue to uphold the two-State solution, work in accordance with the existing international consensus, including relevant United Nations resolutions, the principle of land for peace and the Arab Peace Initiative and play a constructive role in the political settlement of the Palestinian issue.

Madam President,

I would like to reiterate the fact that China has always been committed to promoting the Middle East peace process and supporting the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights. China supports the establishment of an independent State of Palestine with full sovereignty on the basis of 1967 border with East Jerusalem as its capital.

China will continue to follow President Xi Jinping’s four-point proposal for the promotion of a political settlement of the Palestinian issue, work together with all the parties concerned in the international community and play a positive and constructive role in the achievement of peace in the Middle East.

Thank you, Madam President.