Gaza peace summit must fix sights on two-state solution

Egypt is hosting a pivotal peace summit on Gaza on Monday. With the situation on the ground remaining tense and the humanitarian crisis deepening, the conference represents not just an opportunity to secure a ceasefire, but a vital test of relevant countries' commitment to addressing the root cause of the conflict through the only viable solution: the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

The urgency of the moment cannot be overstated. The recent cycle of violence has exacted a horrific toll, claiming countless civilian lives and creating a catastrophic humanitarian situation. It is imperative that the summit be more than a temporary patch. It must serve as a catalyst to firmly steer the ceasefire process toward a sustainable political settlement. A lull in the fighting that is not anchored in a clear political horizon is a precarious pause, not a pathway to peace.

China has been unequivocal in its position. Its stance on the Palestinian-Israeli issue is grounded in justice and a consistent adherence to the basic norms of international relations. This translates into unwavering support for the two-state solution as the foundational principle upon which any lasting peace must be built.

The summit in Egypt should channel diplomatic efforts toward the establishment of a fully sovereign and independent State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The logic is inescapable. The two-state solution is the only viable way to address the root cause of the issue. For decades, the world has witnessed the consequences of delaying this political reality — cycles of violence, deepening hatred and a steady erosion of hope. Military measures and temporary truces can only manage the symptoms; they cannot cure the disease of occupation and the denial of a people's legitimate national rights.

The Gaza crisis is a stark and painful reminder that without a just resolution of the Palestinian question, there can be no lasting peace and security in the Middle East.

China commends Egypt's role in hosting this summit and has actively participated in international efforts to de-escalate the situation. Along with relevant countries' pro-peace efforts, the United Nations, particularly the UN Security Council, should shoulder its responsibilities and act decisively.

The international community has a duty to be fair-minded and to play a constructive role. This means putting equal emphasis on both the cessation of hostilities and the advancement of the two-state solution, while also ensuring the swift and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the beleaguered people in Gaza.

The conflicting parties must seize this opportunity of the Gaza peace summit to forge a ceasefire that is explicitly linked to a renewed, time-bound political process.

As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi rightly emphasized during a joint news conference with his Swiss counterpart in Bellinzona, Switzerland, on Friday, the humanitarian disaster in Gaza is a stain on the 21st century and human conscience must be awakened. China welcomes all efforts aimed at restoring peace and saving lives. The international community should work together to achieve a genuine, comprehensive and lasting ceasefire, effectively alleviate the humanitarian crisis, and restore stability in the region.

In the process, the principle of "the Palestinians governing Palestine", a consensus reached by the international community, must be upheld, and any arrangement regarding Gaza's future should respect the will of the Palestinian people.

Efforts to realize the long-term goal of the two-state solution must be unwavering, as only an independent Palestinian state that secures its legitimate national rights can eliminate historical injustices and the roots of violence, thereby achieving lasting peaceful coexistence between the Israelis and Palestinians.

The alternative — a return to the failed paradigm of managing a conflict rather than resolving it — is unacceptable. The path forward is known; what is required now is the collective will to walk it.

China is willing to continue working with the international community to make unremitting efforts for lasting peace and security in the Middle East.

- Li Yang, China Daily