Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations: Start the reconstruction of Gaza as soon as possible and restore normal life for the people

China Daily, 20 Oct (Reporter Zhang Minlu) On October 19, the United Nations Security Council held an open debate on the Palestinian issue in the Middle East. Ambassador Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, spoke at the meeting and called for the reconstruction of Gaza to be launched as soon as possible to restore normal life to the people, and the international community should increase its support for the reconstruction of Gaza.

Zhang Jun said that China is seriously concerned about the humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. Nearly five months after the gaza conflict, the security and humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories remains dire. In the Gaza Strip, the may conflict destroyed a large number of public facilities and civilian housing, adding to the already dire economic and humanitarian situation. The Chinese side appreciates the fact that Qatar has cooperated with the United Nations in distributing cash assistance and that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East has overcome difficulties and alleviated the plight of the local population. Israel should further open the relevant Gaza ports to clear the way for humanitarian and reconstruction materials to enter Gaza.

Zhang Jun stressed that China strongly calls for easing tensions. Israeli military and police operations continue to cause Palestinian casualties, exacerbate Palestinian-Israeli tensions and escalate tensions. Israel, as the occupying Power, must fulfil its obligations under international humanitarian law, guarantee the safety of the population in the occupied territories, thoroughly investigate violent Israeli settler attacks and bring those responsible to justice.

Zhang Jun said that China urges Israel to stop actions such as settlement expansion that undermine the prospects of the "two-state solution". Settlement construction violates international law and undermines the prospects of the "two-State solution". Israel must comply with the relevant United Nations resolutions and stop the expansion of settlements, the demolition of Palestinian homes and the expulsion of Palestinians.

Zhang Jun pointed out that the fundamental way out of the Palestinian issue lies in the implementation of the "two-state solution." Only by realizing the "two-State solution" and restoring the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people can the cycle of violence be broken and Palestine and Israel living side by side and living side by side in peace.

Zhang Jun said that we hope that Palestine and Israel will take the recent high-level contacts as an opportunity to continue to accumulate momentum, gradually rebuild mutual trust, and resume dialogue on an equal footing at an early date. We support the important role played by Egypt and other regional countries in promoting intra-Palestinian reconciliation, and call for the strengthening of the authority of the Palestinian National Authority and the empowerment of it to exercise state sovereign functions in the security, financial and other fields. We urge states with significant influence to uphold an objective and impartial position and to avoid taking sides and adopting double standards on the question of Palestine.

Zhang Jun said that China welcomes the pakistani and Israeli negotiators to come to China for direct negotiations, and at the same time calls for the holding of an international peace conference led by the United Nations, permanent members of the Security Council and the participation of all stakeholders in the Middle East peace process.

Zhang Jun said that China supports the just cause of Palestine in fighting for national rights and the establishment of a Palestinian state with full sovereignty and independence based on the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital. We will continue to work with all parties in the international community to promote an early comprehensive, reasonable and just settlement of the question of Palestine.

Source: China Daily