Wang Yi delivers a speech on the Middle East

KUWAIT: On June 24, 2020 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister delivered a written speech entitled Upholding International Fairness and Justice and Advancing the Middle East Peace Process at the Security Council Open VTC on the Middle East, Including the Palestinian Question. Wang Yi noted, the Palestinian question remains at the heart of the Middle East situation. Its just, equitable settlement is a prerequisite for lasting peace and security in the region. Recently, the persistent tension between Palestine and Israel and this development is deeply unsettling. Wang Yi expressed, such a situation has further highlighted the significance of the four-point proposal on the Palestinian question put forth by President Xi Jinping in 2017. Building on this proposal, the Chinese side wishes to emphasize the following four points:

First, international consensus must not be contravened. The two-state solution is a bottom line of international justice, on which there should be no backtracking. China supports the establishment of an independent state of Palestine that enjoys full sovereignty on the basis of the 1967 borders and with east Jerusalem as its capital. This is an inalienable right of the Palestinian people, one that cannot be bargained away. At the same time, Israel’s right to survival and legitimate security concerns should be fully respected. Relevant UN resolutions, the “land for peace” principle and the two-state solution set out the overall direction of the final settlement. As such, they should be duly observed and reaffirmed.

Second, peace talks must not be abandoned. Palestine and Israel need to resume dialogues on an equal footing as soon as possible in order to rebuild trust, deescalate disputes and work out a way to live in peace as neighbors. The question of occupied territories in the West Bank should be resolved as early as possible based on relevant UN resolutions, and the final Palestine-Israel border delineated through peace talks.

Third, international support must not slacken. The Palestinian question should remain front and center of the international agenda. The global community should stick to an impartial and just position, and push forward the Middle East peace process with sincere efforts. Solution that departs from the track of peace will never bring enduring peace to the Middle East.

Fourth, humanitarian issues must not be ignored. It is imperative to end the blockade on the Gaza Strip as soon as possible and earnestly fulfill the obligations under the Paris Protocol and other international treaties. The international community should support Palestine in growing its economy, facilitate the work of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East and help improve the humanitarian situation in Palestine.

Wang Yi said, China is a sincere friend of the Palestinian people. We have all along followed the Middle East peace process with concern, and remained a staunch force for international justice and fairness and for all efforts conducive to de-escalation. Shouldering the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, the Security Council should play its due role in bringing about a comprehensive, just and enduring solution to the Palestinian question.