President, 

Nearly two years into the conflict in Gaza, the fighting has resulted in appalling civilian casualties and a humanitarian catastrophe, undermining the bottom line of human conscience and international rule of law. The international community has long issued an overwhelming call for a ceasefire and cessation of hostilities. Time and again, the Security Council has sought to take actions, only to be forcefully blocked by the United States again and again. On September 18, the United States once again vetoed a Security Council draft resolution on Gaza. China expresses its deep disappointment and regret over this. If it were not for the United States' repeated abuse of the veto, the Security Council's response to the Gaza crisis would not have been so inadequate. If it were not for the United States' shielding of Israel, Council resolutions and international law would not have been so flagrantly violated. 

President, 

The human tragedy in Gaza cannot be allowed to continue. China welcomes and supports all efforts that are conducive to easing tensions, and calls on the international community to stay united and take urgent actions to restore peace.

First, a lasting ceasefire in Gaza must be achieved immediately. History has repeatedly demonstrated that military means is not the way out, and that one's own security cannot be built on the insecurity of others. The conflict has already claimed the lives of more than 66,000 Gazans, and prolonging the conflict will only lead to more deaths and hatred. China urges Israel to immediately cease all military operations in Gaza and immediately halt its dangerous plan to take over the Gaza City. 

Second, the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza must be alleviated. Under the man-made blockade, Gaza is witnessing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. China reiterates that the weaponization of humanitarian aid is unacceptable, the militarization of aid distribution mechanism is unacceptable, and attacks on aid-seeking civilians and humanitarian workers are unacceptable. Israel must fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law as the occupying power, fully restore humanitarian access, and support the work of the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies. 

Third, the two-State solution must be implemented. The two-State solution remains the only viable path to resolving the Palestinian question. Both Gaza and the West Bank are inseparable parts of the Palestinian territory. Any post-war governance and reconstruction arrangements must adhere to the principle of Palestinians governing Palestine and respect the will of the Palestinian people. The international community should pool greater efforts and take concrete and irreversible actions to implement the two-State solution, while firmly rejecting any unilateral actions that erode its foundation. 

China stands ready to work with the international community to make unremitting efforts to put an end to the hostilities in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe, implement the two-State solution, and ultimately achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question. 

Thank you. President.