China, Qatar partners in peace, wellbeing of Palestinian people

(MENAFN - Gulf Times) How does China view the conflict between Palestine and Israel? Recently, the escalating conflict between Israel and Palestine has resulted in a large number of casualties, including women and children. The situation is critical and China is deeply worried and distressed. The Palestinian question has always been the core of the Middle East issue. An unstable Middle East will make the world insecure. Earlier this year, during his visit to the Middle East, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi put forward a five-point proposal for achieving security and stability in the region, one of which is to uphold fairness and justice, and resolve the Palestinian issue. Only when the Palestinian question is resolved comprehensively, fairly and permanently, can the Middle East truly achieve lasting peace and universal security. China has always stood firmly on the side of the Palestinian people. This is not only China’s due obligation as a good friend and brother of Palestine and Arab countries, but also China’s responsibility as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Since the current conflict arose between Palestine and Israel, China has actively fulfilled duties of the rotating presidency of the UNSC, and pushed the UNSC to deliberate on the Palestinian question many times, making intensified efforts to promote peace talks and de-escalate the situation.  On May 16, in response to the current tense situation, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired UNSC Open Debate on Palestine-Israel Conflict, and put forward a four-point proposition:  First, ceasefire and cessation of violence is the top priority. China strongly condemns violent acts against civilians, and once again urges the two sides to immediately stop military and hostile actions. It is important that Israel exercise restraint, earnestly observe the relevant UN resolutions, stop the demolition of Palestinian homes and the eviction of the Palestinian people, discontinue its settlement expansion, put an end to the violence, threats and provocations against Muslims, and maintain and respect the historical status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem. Meanwhile, Palestine needs to avoid taking steps that may further escalate the situation, avert civilian casualties, and work with other parties for an immediate de-escalation of the situation.  Second, humanitarian assistance is an urgent need. We urge Israel to earnestly fulfil its obligations under international treaties, lift all the blockade and siege of Gaza as soon as possible, guarantee the safety and rights of civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory, and provide access for humanitarian assistance.  The international community should extend humanitarian aid to Palestine via multiple channels, and continue to support the work of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), in an effort to improve the humanitarian situation in Palestine. And the UN must play a co-ordinating role to avoid serious humanitarian disasters. Third, international support is an obligation. The UNSC must take vigorous action on the Palestine-Israel conflict, reiterate its firm support for a ''two-state solution”, and push the situation to cool down at an early date. The UNSC has failed to make a unanimous voice due to the obstruction of one certain country.  China calls on the United States to shoulder its due responsibilities, adopt a fair stand, and support the UNSC in playing its due role in easing the situation, rebuilding trust, and advancing a political settlement. We also support the UN, the League of Arab States, the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation and other countries that have an important influence in the region to play a more active role and make more extensive and effective peace promotion efforts. Fourth, a ''two-state solution” is the fundamental way out. In the final analysis, a long-term solution to the Palestinian-Israeli issue should be sought on the basis of the ''two-state solution”. The Palestine-Israel issue has been on the agenda of the UN for more than 70 years. Generations of Palestinians have waited, year after year, for the restoration of their legitimate national right, which still remains elusive. Justice is late, but it cannot be absent forever. China supports the two sides in resuming peace talks based on a ''two-state solution” as soon as possible, to establish an independent State of Palestine that enjoys full sovereignty with East Jerusalem as its capital and based on the 1967 border, and fundamentally realise the peaceful coexistence of Palestine and Israel, realise the harmonious coexistence of the Arab and Jewish nations, and realise lasting peace in the Middle East. Can you brief us on China’s position on the Palestinian issue? I would like to summarise China’s position on the Palestinian issue with the following three ''most”: First, China is the most determined supporter of the just cause of Palestine. From more than 70 years ago, the day since People’s Republic of China was born, we have been standing with the Palestinian brothers in solidarity, and have never changed our position in supporting the Palestinian people’s just cause, the ''two-state solution”, and the constructive of role of the United Nations, the Arab league and OIC. In 2006, 2013 and 2017, China held three seminars for peace advocates between Palestine and Israel to provide insights on the settlement of the Palestinian issue. As a permanent member of the UNSC and a responsible major country, China stands ready to continue to strengthen communication and co-ordination with all parties to jointly promote the establishment of an independent State of Palestine that enjoys full sovereignty with East Jerusalem as its capital based on the 1967 border. Second, China is the most active promoter of Palestinian development. Development holds the key to solving many governance problems in the Middle East. China has always paid close attention to the Palestinian economy and humanitarian situation. Guided by the concept of peace through development, China has been providing assistance to the best of its ability to support Palestine’s economic development and improve people’s livelihood; China has helped to build connecting roads of Ramallah municipal, coastal road of Gaza, solar power equipment for Gaza children’s hospital, Barca refugee’s elementary school, the Gaza middle school and other dozens of projects. In July 2018, at the 8th Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab States Co-operation Forum, President Xi Jinping announced a donation of 100 million Yuan in grant to assistance of Palestine. In the future, China will continue to do its utmost to implement projects that are conducive to the economic development of Palestine and bring welfare to the Palestinian people. Third, China is the most sincere friend of the Palestinian people. As an Arab proverb goes, a friend in need is a friend indeed. Upholding to the initiatives of building a shared future for mankind, China has provided medical supplies to Palestine since the pandemic broke out, such as testing kits, masks and protective suits, and helped them to fight the pandemic by sending a medical experts team to Palestine and holding online meetings for remote diagnosis and therapies.  China has donated US$1 million and large amount of medical supplies to the UNRWA. In March this year, China donated 100,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines to Palestine. The Palestinian Health Minister said movingly at the handover ceremony that China is the most reliable and trustworthy friend, a good brother and a great partner of Palestine. For the next step China will continue to support and help Palestine to the best of its ability to win the battle against the pandemic as soon as possible. How do you evaluate Qatar’s role in supporting the just cause of the Palestinian people? What kind of co-operation do you think China and Qatar can carry out in easing the situation? Qatar is an important country in the Arab and Islamic world and has made positive contributions to the just cause of the Palestinian people over the years. His Highness the Amir has stressed on many occasions that Qatar firmly supports the ''two-state solution” and relevant UN resolutions, and calls on a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Palestine. Earlier this year, His Highness pledged a financial aid of $360mn to the Gaza Strip. Since the ongoing conflict broke out, Qatar has been actively mediating for the de-escalation of the situation. His Highness had two phone calls with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, stressing that Qatar firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people and will do its utmost to urge Israeli to cease fire and stop violence. HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani presided over an emergency meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Arab League, calling on Arab countries to unite to stop the attacks, protect the Palestinian people and make intensive contact with the UN, the US and other international parties for mediation. On January 16, Qatar provided emergency humanitarian assistance to the affected civilians in the Gaza Strip. China highly appreciates these efforts of Qatar. China and Qatar share the same position and determination in promoting the escalation of the current conflict. China is ready to work with Qatar to encourage the international community to take urgent actions in preventing further deterioration of the situation and instability of the region, and to safeguard the lives and safety of local people. As the rotating presidency of UNSC and the Arab League Foreign Ministers’ Council respectively, China and Qatar should continue to make greater efforts to promote peace talks and international actions. China reiterates the invitation to peacemakers from Palestine and Israel to hold dialogue in China, and welcome negotiators from both sides to hold direct talks in China.  We are also ready to step up co-ordination and co-operation with Qatar to continue intensified efforts to promote peace talks and form a joint mediation force of the international community.MENAFN20052021000067011011ID1102108237