Chinese and other diplomats call for immediate Gaza ceasefire

Diplomats from China and overseas called on Friday for an immediate ceasefire to the prolonged Gaza conflict and the implementation of the two-state solution to bring a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question at an early date.

They also expressed appreciation for China's firm support for the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights at an event commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People held in Beijing.

With humanitarian situation deteriorating, the negative impact continuing to spill over and regional security and stability severely impacted, Wang Kejian, an ambassador from the Department of West Asian and North African Affairs of China's Foreign Ministry, emphasized that such tragedies in Gaza cannot be allowed to continue.

Noting the Palestinian question has always been the core issue in the Middle East, he said China supports Arab countries to strengthen unity on the Palestinian question, and is ready to keep enhancing coordination and cooperation with Arab countries to push the question back to the right track of a two-state solution.

Wang also expressed Beijing's support for the United Nations in playing a greater role on the Palestinian question, saying China will make joint efforts will all parties to promote the cooling down of the situation.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator in China Siddharth Chatterjee read a speech by Secretary-General of the UN Antonio Guterres, calling on all parties to fully support the humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people, particularly through the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, a lifeline for millions of Palestinians.

Chatterjee quoted Guterres as saying that the UN will continue to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and support their inalienable right to live in peace, security and dignity.

Milia Jabbour, dean of the Arab Diplomatic Corps and Lebanese Ambassador to China, reiterated gratitude to China for its just stance on the Palestinian question and its firm support for the rights of the Palestinian people, calling for concerted efforts to create momentum for international justice.

China announced in May it will provide an additional 500 million yuan ($69.5 million) in aid to support the relief of the humanitarian crisis and post-war reconstruction in Gaza, on top of the initial emergency humanitarian assistance of 100 million yuan. China has so far donated $3 million to the UNRWA to support the body providing emergency humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

In a speech read at the event by Ahmed Mustafa Fahmy, head of the representative office of the League of Arab States in China, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Ahmed Aboul Gheit reaffirmed the importance of the two-state solution.

There will be no peace and stability in the Middle East without the implementation of the two-state solution, he said, hoping countries could stand on the right side of history.

He accused Israel's inhumane practices of violating international law, saying a law passed by Israeli parliament banning the UNRWA from operating in areas controlled by Israel is invalid both legally and morally.

Shadi Abuzarqa, charge d'affaires of the State of Palestine in China, said Gaza has become the epicenter of one of the most devastating humanitarian crises in modern times.

Israeli army's "indiscriminate and systematic bombing" in Gaza has killed 45,000 people, including 18,000 children and 12,000 women, leaving tens of thousands missing, he said, urging the international community to exert pressure on Israel to implement international resolutions.