Chair, 

I thank the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for organizing today's commemoration. 

Seventy-seven years ago, more than half of the Palestinian people were expelled or fled from their homes during the Arab-Israeli war, and they have since embarked on the arduous journey of striving for their legitimate rights and interests. Today, 77 years later, the historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people has not only remained unaddressed, but has even worsened. 

The war in Gaza has lasted for 19 months, claiming the lives of more than 53,000 Gazans and leaving the once beautiful cities and towns in ruins. Israel's escalating siege on Gaza has led to an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe for two million people who face the threat of forced relocation. The continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank and the intensifying settler violence have relentlessly squeezed the space for the Palestinian people and eroded the basis of the two-State solution. 

The question of Palestine, at the core of the Middle East issue, bears on the peace, stability, and long-term security of the region. The implementation of the two-State solution is the only viable way to resolve the question. The imperative now is to immediately realize a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and alleviate the humanitarian disaster. Israel must implement the Security Council and GA resolutions, comply with the ICJ provisional measures and advisory opinion, immediately cease all military attacks and violations of international law, especially IHL, lift the blockade of Gaza, stop settlement activities in the West Bank, and curb settler violence. A major power with significant influence over the party concerned should uphold an impartial and objective position, and take tangible actions to calm the fighting in Gaza and ease tensions in West Bank.

Chair, 

On the question of Palestine, China, upholding fairness and justice, remains steadfast in its support for the justice cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights for the early establishment of the fully sovereign and independent State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and for the early admission of the State of Palestine as a full member of the UN. China supports the Gaza recovery and reconstruction plan jointly launched by Egypt and other Arab countries, and looks forward to the high-level conference on the two-State solution to be held by France and Saudi Arabia in June, which will give new impetus to its implementation. 

China will continue to work tirelessly with all peace-loving countries to promote the implementation of the two-State solution and to realize a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the question of Palestine at an early date, so that the Nakba day will forever remain in the past. 

Thank you, Chair.