At a UN event commemorating the 77th anniversary of the Nakba, Geng Shuang, China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, called on the international community to take immediate and concrete steps to achieve a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue. He stressed that only the implementation of the two-state solution can put a definitive end to the historic tragedy of the Nakba.
Geng Shuang recalled that 77 years ago, more than half of the Palestinian population was displaced during the Arab-Israeli war, beginning their long struggle for legitimate rights. Today, this injustice remains unresolved and is even deepening. He pointed to the devastating consequences of the 19-month conflict in Gaza, where he said more than 53 000 Palestinians had died and more than two million people were facing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe as a result of the intensifying Israeli blockade.
Geng Shuang pointed to the continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and increasing settler violence as key factors undermining the possibility of a two-state solution. These steps, according to him "relentlessly shrink the living space of the Palestinian people" and weaken the foundations of peace.
He reiterated China's long-standing position that the Palestinian issue lies at the heart of the Middle East problem and that a two-state solution is the only viable path to peace and stability in the region. He called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an urgent alleviation of the humanitarian crisis.
Geng Shuang also called on Israel to comply with relevant Security Council and UN General Assembly resolutions and to respect the International Court of Justice's interim measures. He demanded an immediate halt to military attacks, an end to violations of international law, particularly humanitarian law, the lifting of the blockade of Gaza, a halt to settlement construction in the West Bank and a crackdown on settler violence.
At the same time, he appealed to the major powers with influence over the parties to maintain impartiality and take concrete steps to de-escalate tensions in both Gaza and the West Bank.
China reaffirmed its support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital and supported full Palestinian membership of the United Nations. Geng Shuang also expressed support for the Gaza reconstruction initiative led by Egypt and other Arab states and the upcoming high-level conference on a two-state solution jointly hosted by France and Saudi Arabia.
In conclusion, Geng Shuang assured that China will continue to work with all peaceful countries to promote a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue so that the tragedy of the Nakba will be history.
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