Image Credit: CGTN
China has called for an urgent resolution to the Gaza conflict, which has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis. Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, highlighted the need for swift action during a UN Security Council briefing on the situation in the Middle East on Friday.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has persisted for over nine months, leading to an unprecedented humanitarian disaster with nearly 40,000 civilian casualties. Fu emphasized that negotiations to end the violence “must not go on indefinitely,” stressing the dire need for immediate action to alleviate the suffering.
Fu pointed out that international law and humanitarian principles have been repeatedly violated during the conflict. Despite the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2735 nearly two months ago, Israel has continued its extensive military operations in Gaza. He underscored that civilian lives should not be used as leverage in negotiations, and military actions are not conducive to the release of hostages.
The ambassador urged Israel to halt all military activities in Gaza immediately and called on the United States to exert more pressure on Israel to achieve an immediate ceasefire. He stated that China supports the UN Security Council in taking necessary actions to enforce the relevant resolutions.
Fu also highlighted the crucial role of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in providing humanitarian assistance in Gaza. He expressed China’s firm opposition to any attempts to undermine UNRWA’s mandate and called for the protection of humanitarian workers in the region. He urged Israel to fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law by opening all land crossings and ensuring the safety and necessary support for humanitarian agencies.
Addressing the broader issues in the region, Fu condemned settlement activities in the West Bank, which he said violate international law and undermine the two-state solution. He called for an immediate halt to all settlement activities and settler violence.
Fu warned of the negative spillover effects of the Gaza conflict, stating that allowing the instability to spread would lead to a regional catastrophe. He highlighted the reconciliation dialogue between Palestinian groups held in Beijing earlier this week, reaffirming China’s steadfast support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
China firmly supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and advocates for a more authoritative and effective international peace conference to establish a roadmap for the two-state solution. Fu emphasized that such efforts are essential to put the Palestinian question back on the path to a political settlement.
China’s stance, as articulated by Fu Cong, calls for an immediate end to the Gaza conflict, the protection of humanitarian workers, and the cessation of settlement activities in the West Bank.