President,

I thank Acting Special Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov for his briefing. I also thank Mr. Maoz Inon and Mr. Aziz Abu Sallah for sharing with us the radiance of humanity that shines through their statements.

Last week, during the general debate and other high-level meetings of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, the Palestinian question was one of the focal points addressed by member states. There was a clarion call by the broad UN membership for choosing ceasefire over conflict, dialogue over hate, and a two-state solution over occupation and annexation. The urgency of the relentlessly deteriorating situation in the occupied Palestinian territory should compel the international community to build greater consensus and translate those powerful voices into practical actions in order to prevent the prospect of the two-state solution from fading away, and help bring about a comprehensive, just, and lasting settlement to the Palestinian question at an early date. I will make three points:

First, every effort must be made to avert a collapse in the West Bank. As the occupying power persists in relentlessly accelerating the expansion of settlements, many Palestinians have seen evictions from their homes, their livelihoods lost, families torn apart, and loved ones killed. Settlements violate Security Council Resolution 2334 and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, and as such, have no legal validity. Any act of annexation or de facto annexation of territories in the West Bank diminishes the living space of Palestinians and gravely undermines the territorial foundation of Palestinian statehood. China urges Israel to immediately cease and rescind its settlement policy, stop appropriating Palestinian homes and encroaching on Palestinian territory, and take effective measures to curb settler violence and ensure strict accountability for all cases of attacks. Israel should, without delay, return withheld tax revenues, remove unreasonable economic restrictions in the West Bank, and stop undermining the foundation on which the Palestinian Authority exercises its governance.

Second, every effort must be made to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Gaza is still under siege from all sides, with life-sustaining supplies running short, sewage left uncleared, and buildings reduced to rubble everywhere, creating a humanitarian situation that is no longer tolerable. However, Israel continues its relentless attacks on Gaza, with each day producing new casualties. As long as military fire in Gaza is not extinguished and humanitarian access remains obstructed, peace will not be able to take shape, nor will the Gaza reconstruction process get off the ground. We call on the relevant parties, Israel in particular, to sincerely and fully implement ceasefire agreement obligations, immediately cease all military operations in Gaza, and take positive steps towards lasting peace. Israel must fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law by lifting restrictions on humanitarian access to allow shelter and requisite equipment to enter Gaza, and stop restricting and attacking UNRWA and other humanitarian agencies.

Third, every effort must be made to implement the two-State solution. The situation between Palestine and Israel reaching today's point is fundamentally a result of Palestinians' right to statehood, right to life, and right of return being ignored for far too long. The fundamental way out to break the cycle of conflict between Palestine and Israel is to implement the two-state solution, restore the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, and establish an independent Palestinian state. The international community must rally greater efforts to take irreversible actions and revitalize the political prospect of the two-state solution. All parties should reject any attempt to alter the Palestinian territory and demographic structure, and oppose any unilateral action that undermines the foundation of the two-state solution. We call for upholding the principle of "Palestinians governing Palestine" in advancing the governance of the West Bank and the post-war reconstruction of Gaza. Any effort taken by the international community on the Palestinian question should promote, not harm, the two-state solution.

President,

The general debate of this UNGA session is drawing to a close, but the international community's efforts to advance the settlement of the Palestinian question must not stop here. China stands consistently on the side of peace, justice, and the conscience of humanity, and stands ready to make even greater efforts for a political settlement of the Palestinian question and for lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.

Thank you, President.