President, 

Today is a sad day. Because of the veto by the United States, the application by Palestine for full membership at the UN has been rejected, and the decades-long dream of the Palestinian people ruthlessly dashed. China finds the decision by the US most disappointing. 

An independent State of Palestine has been a long-cherished dream of generations of Palestinian people. Its full membership at the UN is a crucial step in that historical direction. As early as 2011, Palestine submitted an application. Because of some countries' opposition, the Council's action at that time was put on hold. 13 years is long enough. Yet we still hear some complaints asserting that there is not enough time and there is no need to rush into actions. These claims are disingenuous. The admission of Palestine as a full member of the UN is more urgent now than ever before.

The relevant countries claim that they do not support Palestine’s full UN membership because the State of Palestine does not have the capacity to govern. We do not agree with this assessment. Over the past 13 years, the situation in Palestine has changed in many ways, the most fundamental of which has been the expansion of settlements in the West Bank. Palestine’s survival space as a state has been constantly squeezed, and the foundation of the two-State solution has been continuously eroded. The relevant countries have ignored this and adopted an attitude of acquiescence or even connivance. And now they are questioning Palestine’s capacity to govern. This is gangster logic that confuses right and wrong. 

What is even more unacceptable is some countries are challenging Palestine’s eligibility for membership of the UN under the UN Charter, implying that there still remains the question of whether Palestine is peace-loving. Such an allegation is outrageous and a step too far. For the Palestinian people who are suffering under occupation, this is tantamount to rubbing salt in the wounds. It is extremely insulting. If it is out of political calculation to oppose Palestine’s full membership of the UN, it would be better to simply say so, instead of making excuses to re-victimize the Palestinian people. 

President, 

Independence with statehood is the inalienable national right of the Palestinian people. This is unquestionable and untradeable. The relevant countries make the direct negotiations between Palestine and Israel a prerequisite, claiming that Palestine’s membership at the UN can only be the result of negotiations. This is putting the cart before the horse. As it is more and more clear that the Israeli side is rejecting the two-State solution, the admission of the State of Palestine as a full UN member would allow Palestine to enjoy equal status with Israel and would help create conditions for the resumption of negotiations between the two sides. All countries that genuinely support the two-State solution should not stand in the way of Palestine’s full membership at the UN. 

President, 

The wheel of history is rolling forward. The trend of the times is irresistible. We are convinced that the day will come when the State of Palestine will enjoy the same rights as other member states at the UN, that the two states of Palestine and Israel will be able to live side by side in peace as neighbors, with the two peoples, Palestinians or Israelis, living in tranquility and happiness. China will continue to make unremitting efforts and play a constructive role for the early realization of that day.

I thank you, President.