A Palestinian demonstrator uses a slingshot to hurl stones toward Israeli security forces during clashes with them following a weekly demonstration in the occupied West Bank village of Kfar Qaddum, on Nov 13, 2020. (JAAFAR ASHTIYEH / AFP)

The Chinese ambassador to the United Nations on Wednesday stressed Beijing's support for a lasting peaceful solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict and called for the international community to find a just and early solution to the Palestinian issue.

This year, China has provided multiple batches of supplies, deployed teams of medical experts, and made contributions to the UNRWA

"The Palestinian issue, as a root problem in the Middle East, bears on regional peace, international justice and human conscience," said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, at a plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly's 75th session.

The ambassador also highlighted President Xi Jinping's congratulatory message at Tuesday's annual International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which reiterated China's firm support for the "just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights as well as all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue".

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Zhang pointed out that the international community should adhere to the right direction of the two-state solution, which is a framework supported by the UN that calls for Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side in peace and security, based on the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.

The relevant UN resolutions, the "land for peace" principle and the two-state solution have galvanized the wisdom and the painstaking efforts of generations of peacemakers and are important milestones in the Middle East peace process, he said.

"Moreover, they are the basis for solving the Palestinian question and should be abided by and implemented," Zhang added.

The ambassador called on Palestine and Israel to remain committed to the strategic option of peace talks and seek an early solution to the issue of the Occupied Palestinian Territory pursuant to the relevant UN resolutions and demarcate the final borders between Palestine and Israel through peaceful negotiations.

"Both sides should refrain from any actions that might fuel tensions or conflicts," Zhang said.

The envoy also expressed hope that the international community will achieve greater synergies to promote peace talks. The Palestinian issue should not be marginalized, he said. Instead, it should be placed on top of the international agenda.

Objectivity, fairness

In addition, the countries holding sway over both Israel and Palestine, in particular, should uphold the position of objectivity and fairness, and promote the Middle East peace process in sincerity and good faith, Zhang said.

In seeking any solution to the Palestinian issue, regional countries, especially the State of Palestine, should have a say, said Zhang, adding that "the concerns of all parties should be accommodated, and there should be no bearing down".

The ambassador said China welcomes Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' proposal for the convening of an international peace conference early next year in the hope that the international community will join hands in creating favorable conditions for the solution of the Palestinian question.

While facilitating the peace process, the international community should effectively assist Palestine in achieving socioeconomic development and support the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, or UNRWA, the envoy said.

He said the current focus should be on helping the Palestinian people combat the COVID-19 pandemic and achieve economic recovery.

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This year, China has provided multiple batches of supplies, deployed teams of medical experts, and made contributions to the UNRWA. Through the agency, China has also provided Palestine, and the Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, with personal protective supplies.

"China, as a sincere friend of the Palestinian people, has always put its heart into the Middle East peace process. China will continue to make unremitting efforts to safeguard international equity and justice and promote peace and stability in the Middle East region," Zhang said.