Chinese FM Wang Yi urges push for Gaza ceasefire, advancing two-state solution

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday urged efforts to push for a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza with the utmost urgency to alleviate the current humanitarian disaster and seek practical and feasible paths to advance the two-state solution.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while elaborating on China's views on the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict during a meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Beijing.

The conflict has dragged on for two years, causing unprecedented humanitarian disaster, Wang noted, adding that China is deeply concerned about the situation.

Israel is pressing ahead with its plan to take over Gaza City, carrying out air strikes on Hamas targets planning peace talks in Qatar and accelerating its West Bank settlement plan, he said. "These actions have seriously violated the discipline of international law, put the two-state solution in danger and directly impact the stability in the Middle East."

Emphasizing that security should be shared, he said no country should build its own security on the insecurity of other countries.

Israel has the right to establish a state, and Palestine also has the right to establish a state, he said, adding that there should be no double standards.

Wang said the lives of Israelis and Arabs are equally precious, and both deserve respect and protection. "Curbing violence with violence will only create and fuel new hatred," he said.

He called on the international community to push for a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza with the utmost urgency to alleviate the current humanitarian disaster. He said countries with a special influence on Israel should shoulder their responsibilities, as should the UN Security Council and humanitarian agencies.

Second, he said the principle of "the Palestinians governing Palestine" must be truly implemented. Gaza and the West Bank are both inalienable Palestinian territories, Wang noted, adding that any post-war governance and reconstruction arrangements should respect the will of the Palestinian people and safeguard the legitimate rights of the Palestinian nation.

Third, Wang urged efforts to uphold the two-state solution. On the basis of recognizing the State of Palestine, he called for supporting Palestine to become a full UN member, seeking practical and feasible paths to promote the two-state solution, and rejecting any unilateral actions that erode the foundation of the two-state solution.

China has always supported the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights, he said, adding that the country will continue to work for a ceasefire in Gaza and promote an early, comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue on the basis of relevant UN resolutions and the two-state solution.