25 February 2025
Colleagues,
I thank Ms. Sigrid Kaag, the Special Coordinator ad interim, for the briefing, and thank Mr. Daiel Levy for the statement. Ms. Noa Aragamni, thank you also for your briefing. I express my deep sympathy for what you have been through. The 15-month long conflict has caused unimaginable sufferings to civilians of both Palestine and Israel. We sincerely hope that all the detainees will be released and reunited with their families as soon as possible, and that the two million conflict survivors in Gaza will not be plunged into war again.
Thus, the Gaza ceasefire agreement must be fully and continuously implemented to ensure a permanent ceasefire. We are gravely concerned about the recent frequent violations of the ceasefire agreement, and strongly call on the parties concerned to fully implement the ceasefire agreement. In particular, provisions on access of humanitarian aid and release of detainees, among others, must be implemented strictly, seriously, and in good faith. In this process, the dignity of all, including the deceased, should be respected. Negotiations on the second phase have been deferred. The international community should encourage and support the parties in moving ahead with the negotiations as soon as possible. In particular, countries with major influence on parties should play a role to that end.
The massive Israeli attacks on the West Bank have lasted for over a month, creating the largest displacement of Palestinians since 1967. Israel has also indicated that it will maintain a long-term military presence in the West Bank. The situation continues to escalate. The developments are worrying. War must not be reignited in the West Bank. West Bank must not become the next Gaza. China calls on Israel to stop its military operations in the West Bank, cease the settlement expansion, and curb settler violence, and we call on all parties to work together for early deescalation of the situation.
Colleagues,
The fundamental crux of the decades-long Palestinian issue lies in the failure to implement the two-State solution and to establish an independent State of Palestine. Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are inalienable parts of the State of Palestine and the homeland of the Palestinian people, not bargaining chips for political deal-making. The post-war governance of Gaza must follow the principle of the Palestinians governing Palestine. The international community should provide support for the reconstruction of Gaza. The role of UNWRA in the humanitarian relief and post-war reconstruction of Gaza is irreplaceable, and its normal mandate delivery must be guaranteed. We call on the international community to step up efforts to advance the political process of the two-State solution and to provide necessary guarantees to that end. Along with the international community, China will continue our unremitting efforts to restore peace in the Middle East and to achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the question of Palestine.