28 May 2025
President:
I thank Special Coordinator ad interim Kaage and Dr. Sidwa for their briefings.
Since May 16, Israel has continued to escalate its military offensive against Gaza, razing a large number of densely populated areas to the ground and resulting in the deaths of more than 1,000 Gazans in the past two weeks alone.
People have repeatedly asked, when will this conflict end? Over the past 600 days, northern, central and southern Gaza have been ravaged by war, more than 54,000 people have been killed, and Gaza residents have been forced to relocate time and time again. The Security Council and the General Assembly have passed multiple resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire, but the conflict has not subsided and the engine of war is still roaring. Continuing to prolong the war will not lead to the release of hostages, but will only lead to more death and hatred.
People have repeatedly asked, are there no limits to the means of this conflict? War also has rules, and compliance with international humanitarian law is an undeniable obligation of all parties. But in Gaza, we have witnessed the repeated violations and breakthroughs of the red lines of international law and the bottom line of human morality. Humanitarian aid has been weaponized, 2 million people have fallen into extreme hunger due to the long-term blockade, schools, hospitals, refugee camps and UN facilities have become targets of attacks, and journalists and humanitarian workers have been ruthlessly killed. It is the international law obligation of the occupying power to ensure humanitarian aid, and all aid must adhere to the principles of impartiality, independence and neutrality. The safety of civilian facilities and humanitarian workers must be guaranteed, and all attacks must be seriously investigated and held accountable.
People have repeatedly asked, will the Palestinian people be forced to lose their homes again? Gaza is already in ruins, and living conditions have been severely damaged. Recently, Israel has repeatedly called for the complete destruction and occupation of Gaza, and the Israeli army has controlled more than 70% of Gaza’s territory. At the same time, settlements in the West Bank continue to expand, settler violence is intensifying, and the living space of the Palestinian people has been severely squeezed. Changing the population and territorial structure of Gaza and settlement activities violates Security Council resolutions and international law, and annexing Gaza or the West Bank will completely destroy the prospects for peace in the Middle East.
In response to the above questions, China strongly reiterates that it is imperative to achieve a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and Israel must immediately stop all military operations. Alleviating the humanitarian disaster is urgent. Israel must lift the blockade, fully restore access to humanitarian supplies, and support the United Nations and other international humanitarian organizations in providing assistance. China appreciates and will continue to support the work of Under-Secretary-General Fletcher. Gaza and the West Bank are an integral part of the State of Palestine. The international community must firmly oppose attempts to annex Gaza or the West Bank and oppose forced migration of Gazan residents. As a country with significant influence on the parties concerned, the United States should adopt a fair and responsible attitude and take concrete and forceful actions. The Security Council bears the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. At present, Algeria and other members are preparing a new draft resolution. China supports the Security Council to take concrete and effective actions to promote a lasting ceasefire and alleviate the humanitarian disaster.
President,
The implementation of the “two-state solution” is the only viable way to resolve the Palestinian issue. The international community must intensify its efforts to advance the political process of the “two-state solution”. We look forward to the high-level meeting on the implementation of the “two-state solution” to be held in June to inject new impetus into the prospects of realizing the “two-state solution”. China will continue to work with the international community to promote the quelling of the Gaza war, alleviate the humanitarian disaster, achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue, and restore peace and stability in the Middle East.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.