China has continued to speak out in support of the struggle of the Palestinian people and to excoriate the hypocritical stand of the United States, which is doing everything in its power to shield and abet the criminal Israeli regime.
Speaking at an April 18 joint press conference with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi in the capital Jakarta, on the first leg of a regional tour which also took him to Papua New Guinea and Cambodia, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that there is no exception nor any privilege for the United States in complying with international law, including United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The UN Security Council, in response to the calls of the international community, has been continuously deliberating on draft resolutions regarding a ceasefire in Gaza, only to be repeatedly vetoed by the United States, Wang said. He added that the Security Council had recently adopted Resolution 2728, demanding an immediate ceasefire. This time, the United States did not dare to continue standing against international moral principles and instead chose to abstain yet claimed that this resolution was “non-binding.”
This statement by the United States has astounded the world, once again exposing the hegemonic mentality of the United States, Wang noted. He criticised the US for employing international law as merely a tool that can be utilised at will or discarded when deemed unnecessary.
Wang further pointed out that every member state of the United Nations is well aware that the resolutions adopted by the Security Council in accordance with the UN Charter are binding and that all countries are obliged to abide by them.
On the same day, Chinese Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Fu Cong, addressed a meeting of the Security Council prior to its voting on a resolution that would have admitted the State of Palestine as a full UN member, upgrading its present observer status.
Fu said: “An immediate ceasefire must be promoted with the utmost urgency. Ramadan has already ended, but the people of Gaza still have not seen the long-awaited ceasefire.”
The Ambassador alluded here to the clause in Resolution 2728, which begins: “Demands an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan respected by all parties leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire.”
He continued: “Tangible actions must be taken to alleviate the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Even if the people of Gaza are lucky enough to escape shelling and airstrikes, they still have to face a man-made famine. Such a catastrophe in the 21st century breaches the bottom line of moral conscience… The current round of conflict is an extremely tragic warning to the international community that it can no longer evade the aspiration of the Palestinian people for independence and statehood or perpetuate the historical injustice inflicted upon the Palestinian people.”
Ahead of the vote, he concluded: “Full membership in the UN is an important step for Palestine to establish an independent state. Palestine has requested renewed consideration of its application for full membership in the UN. China calls on all members of the Council to take a responsible attitude in light of history and cast a favourable vote this afternoon to support Palestine in joining the UN family as a full member.”
The United States proceeded to veto the resolution as the sole negative vote. Twelve members of the Security Council, including permanent members China, Russia and France, voted in favour, while Britain and Switzerland abstained.
Reacting to the vote, and the US veto, Fu Cong stated: “Today is a sad day,” because the US veto has ruthlessly dashed “the decades-long dream of the Palestinian people.”
“The claim that the State of Palestine does not have the capacity to govern does not align with the reality on the ground.” Palestine’s survival space as a state has been constantly squeezed, and the foundation of the two-state solution has been continuously eroded, he added, condemning what he described as “gangster logic that confuses right and wrong.”
“If it is out of political calculation to oppose Palestine’s full membership of the UN, it would be better to simply say so, instead of making excuses to re-victimise the Palestinian people.” On the broader implications of denying Palestine full membership, Fu argued that this action puts the cart before the horse, especially as “the Israeli side is rejecting the two-state solution more and more clearly.”
On April 24, China’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Geng Shuang said that Israel’s attacks without solid evidence on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) are unacceptable. Israel, he continued, made serious accusations against UNRWA over links to terrorism for which no evidence has yet been shared.
“At this point, the debate on UNRWA’s neutrality shall come to an end. We urge all countries to resume funding for UNRWA as soon as possible and to refrain from using any pretext to impose additional collective punishment on the population of Gaza.” To guarantee aid delivery by humanitarian agencies is the responsibility of the occupying power. Hunger cannot be used as a weapon and relief cannot be politicized, Geng said.
It has been 200 days since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict. In these 200 days, the world has seen the spread of hunger and famine, the collapse of the health care system, the loss of innocent lives, and the desperate struggle of millions of people on the brink of death. “There is no justification for prolonging this conflict, and there’s no excuse for the killing of civilians.”
Security Council Resolution 2728, which calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, is indisputably binding, and all member states are obligated to implement it. China supports the council in taking further actions to ensure the implementation of Resolution 2728, he added.
Meanwhile, on April 17, the Xinhua News Agency reported that China was sending two further batches of humanitarian aid, including tents, blankets, clothing, medical supplies and flour, to Gaza via the Rafah border crossing.
The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency and on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
No exception nor privilege for U.S. in complying with int’l law: Wang Yi
JAKARTA, April 18 (Xinhua) — There is no exception nor any privilege for the United States in complying with international law, including United Nations Security Council resolutions, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Thursday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at a joint press conference after meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.
In response to a question over the UN’s role in calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Wang said that in the Gaza conflict, which has persisted for half a year, a rare humanitarian tragedy of the 21st century has unfolded.
The UN Security Council, in response to the calls of the international community, has been continuously deliberating on draft resolutions regarding a ceasefire in Gaza, only to be repeatedly vetoed by the United States, Wang said.
He added that the UN Security Council has recently adopted Resolution 2728, demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. This time, the United States did not dare to continue standing against international moral principles and instead chose to abstain, yet claimed that this resolution was “non-binding.”
This statement by the United States has astounded the world, once again exposing the hegemonic mentality of the United States, Wang noted.
He criticized the U.S. for employing international law as merely a tool that can be utilized at will or discarded when deemed unnecessary.
Wang pointed out that every member state of the United Nations is well aware that the resolutions adopted by the Security Council in accordance with the UN Charter are binding and that all countries are obliged to abide by them, which is a serious commitment made by all countries when they joined the United Nations.
The United States, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, should take the lead in abiding by UN Security Council resolutions, Wang said, adding that in response to the absurd claims made by the United States, the UN Secretariat has clearly emphasized that all Security Council resolutions are international laws and are legally binding.
It is hoped that the United States will drop its sense of superiority and truly heed the voices of the international community, Wang said, adding that it is time U.S. officials brush up on their basic knowledge of international law.
The United States has consistently claimed to comply with “the rules-based international order,” but the most significant rules are the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including international legal norms such as UN Security Council resolutions, Wang said.
The Security Council, as the core of the world’s collective security mechanism, should by no means be manipulated by individual countries for geopolitical purposes, nor should it serve as a stage to pursue hegemony or power politics, the Chinese foreign minister noted.
There is no exception in the United Nations in complying with international laws including Security Council resolutions, and the United States holds no privileges in this regard, Wang said.
Wang expressed hope that the United States would change its long-standing superiority complex, and work, as a member of the United Nations, along with other member states, to fulfill the due international responsibilities, support Resolution 2728, and achieve an overall cease-fire in the Gaza Strip at an early date, so as to save the Palestinian people from their sufferings.
Remarks by China’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Fu Cong at the UN Security Council High-level Open Debate on the Palestinian-Israeli Issue
18 April 2024 (MFA) — President, I welcome you to New York to preside over today’s meeting. And I thank Secretary-General Guterres for his briefing. China welcomes the Special Representative of the President of Palestine and foreign ministers of Arabic states and other countries at today’s meeting.
Over the past six months since the outbreak of the current round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict, China has stepped up to shoulder its responsibility and worked with the international community to do its utmost to save lives and realize peace. Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly elaborated on China’s positions on the current situation, calling for an immediate ceasefire to end the fighting in order to prevent the conflict from expanding and ensure safe and smooth flow of humanitarian relief. He has also emphasized that the fundamental way out is to implement the two-State solution, so as to promote a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the question of Palestine at an early date.
As the conflict still goes on, the situation on the ground is precarious. War is a test of conscience and justice, while peace calls for rationality and responsibility. The international community, especially the UN Security Council, must demonstrate firm determination, make the right choice, and take vigorous actions.
An immediate ceasefire must be promoted with the utmost urgency. Ramadan has already ended, but the people of Gaza still have not seen the long-awaited ceasefire. Moreover, the negative effect of the conflict continued to spill over. The cruel reality of more than six months has made it abundantly clear that continuation of the fighting will not make either side safer. Rather, it will only result in more innocent civilian casualties and drag the entire region into an even greater catastrophe. We urge Israel to effectively implement Security Council Resolution 2728, immediately reverse its course and cease its military operations against Gaza and abandon any plans to attack Rafah. We urge the country with important influence on the parties to the conflict to take an impartial stand and make concrete efforts to promote a ceasefire. We call on the parties concerned to exercise restraint and refrain from taking any actions that can exacerbate tensions, so as to prevent the conflict from further expanding.
Tangible actions must be taken to alleviate the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Even if the people of Gaza are lucky enough to escape shelling and airstrikes, they still have to face a man-made famine. Such a catastrophe in the 21st century breaches the bottom line of moral conscience. Israel must act in accordance with the orders of the ICJ and relevant Security Council resolutions, lift the blockade on Gaza, open all land crossings, and guarantee adequate and rapid access for humanitarian supplies and their safe and orderly distribution within Gaza. UNRWA is the pillar of humanitarian relief in Gaza and its role is irreplaceable. We oppose any malicious attacks and suppression against UNRWA, and call on countries concerned to resume funding to the Agency as soon as possible.
The two-State solution must be revitalized with strong determination. The fundamental way out for the Middle East question lies in the implementation of the two-State solution, so that both Palestinians and Israelis can realize common security and both the Arab and Jewish peoples can achieve common development. The current round of conflict is an extremely tragic warning to the international community that it can no longer evade the aspiration of the Palestinian people for independence and statehood or perpetuate the historical injustice inflicted upon the Palestinian people. China calls for intensified international diplomatic efforts to revitalize the political horizon of the two-State solution. In this connection, we call for an international peace conference that is more broad-based and effective to develop a timeline and roadmap for the realization of the two-State solution.
The Palestinian-Israeli conflict has dragged on for more than 70 years. Israel has long realized its independence and statehood. But the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and statehood have long been disregarded. Full membership in the UN is an important step for Palestine to establish an independent state. Palestine has requested renewed consideration of its application for full membership in the UN. China calls on all members of the Council to take a responsible attitude in light of history and cast a favorable vote this afternoon to support Palestine in joining the UN family as a full member.
Thank you, President.
Chinese envoy criticizes questioning of Palestine’s eligibility for UN membership
UNITED NATIONS, April 18 (Xinhua) — A Chinese envoy on Thursday strongly criticized countries that question Palestine’s eligibility for UN membership under the UN Charter, emphasizing that statehood is an “inalienable national right” of the Palestinian people.
During his statement following a vote in which the United States vetoed a draft resolution for Palestine’s full membership to the UN, Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, expressed profound disappointment.
“Today is a sad day,” because the U.S. veto has ruthlessly dashed “the decades-long dream of the Palestinian people,” he said.
Fu highlighted the contradiction in the arguments presented by some nations regarding Palestine’s governance capabilities.
“The claim that the State of Palestine does not have the capacity to govern does not align with the reality on the ground,” he said, noting significant changes over the past 13 years, including the expansion of settlements in the West Bank.
“Palestine’s survival space as a state has been constantly squeezed, and the foundation of the two-state solution has been continuously eroded,” he added, condemning what he described as “gangster logic that confuses right and wrong.”
Additionally, Fu condemned the implications made by some countries that questioned whether Palestine is a peace-loving state, a criterion for UN membership. “Such an allegation is outrageous and a step too far,” Fu said.
He further criticized the political calculations behind opposing Palestine’s full membership, suggesting, “If it is out of political calculation to oppose Palestine’s full membership of the UN, it would be better to simply say so, instead of making excuses to re-victimize the Palestinian people.”
On the broader implications of denying Palestine full membership, Fu argued that this action puts the cart before the horse, especially as “the Israeli side is rejecting the two-state solution more and more clearly.”
He advocated for Palestine’s full membership as a means to grant it equal status with Israel, which could help create conditions for the resumption of negotiations.
“The wheel of history is rolling forward, and the trend of the times is irresistible,” Fu said, expressing confidence that “the day will come when the State of Palestine will enjoy the same rights as other member states at the UN, and the two states of Palestine and Israel will be able to live side by side in peace.”
Fu reaffirmed China’s commitment to continuing its efforts and playing a constructive role in realizing this vision, hoping for a future where “the Palestinian and Israeli peoples can live in tranquility and happiness.”
Israel’s attacks on UNRWA without solid evidence are unacceptable: Chinese envoy
UNITED NATIONS, April 24 (Xinhua) — Israel’s attacks without solid evidence on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) are unacceptable, a Chinese envoy said Wednesday.
Israel made serious accusations against UNRWA over links to terrorism for which no evidence has yet been shared. China is concerned about this, said Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN).
“China reiterates that, without solid evidence, it is unacceptable to attack UNRWA maliciously and even make false accusations against the entire UN system,” he told the Security Council.
An independent review panel led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna has released its final report, which says UNRWA has had in place for many years a significant number of robust mechanisms to ensure UNRWA’s neutrality and its ability to respond to and hold those accountable for noncompliance in a timely manner, and UNRWA has far more such mechanisms than any other UN agencies, Geng noted.
“At this point, the debate on UNRWA’s neutrality shall come to an end. We urge all countries to resume funding for UNRWA as soon as possible and to refrain from using any pretext to impose additional collective punishment on the population of Gaza,” he said.
To guarantee aid delivery by humanitarian agencies is the responsibility of the occupying power. Hunger can not be used as a weapon and relief can not be politicized, he said.
China is deeply concerned about the continued worsening of the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, said Geng.
It has been 200 days since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict. In these 200 days, the world has seen the spread of hunger and famine, the collapse of the health care system, the loss of innocent lives, and the desperate struggle of millions of people on the brink of death, he said.
“There is no justification for prolonging this conflict, and there’s no excuse for the killing of civilians. The international community must assemble all efforts to mitigate the disaster, save lives and end the conflict,” Geng said.
Security Council Resolutions 2712, 2720 and 2728, and the two International Court of Justice orders on provisional measures all explicitly call for greater humanitarian access. But they have never been effectively implemented and humanitarian assistance continues to encounter various man-made restrictions. If this continues, it will definitely result in more civilian deaths from famine and disease, he said.
“We urge Israel to open all land crossings to guarantee a rapid and safe delivery of humanitarian supplies at scale into Gaza and their safe and orderly distribution within Gaza to those in dire need,” he said.
China once again calls on the Security Council to push for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, said Geng.
More than six months of harsh reality has made it abundantly clear that a Gaza under fire does not have the conditions needed for aid delivery. Security Council Resolution 2728, which calls for a cease-fire in Gaza, is indisputably binding, and all member states are obligated to implement it, he said.
“We are gravely concerned about Israel’s frequent bombardments of Gaza in recent days. We urge Israel to immediately cease all military operations against Gaza and abandon its offensive plan on Rafah,” he said. “Countries with significant influence on Israel should be impartial and play an active role in realizing a cease-fire.”
China supports the council in taking further actions to ensure the implementation of Resolution 2728, said Geng.
China sends more humanitarian supplies to Gaza
CAIRO, April 17 (Xinhua) — Two batches of humanitarian supplies provided by the Chinese government to Palestinians will arrive at the Al-Arish airport and Port Said in Egypt on Thursday and Friday, the Chinese embassy in Egypt said in a press release.
The shipments, including tents, blankets, clothing, medical supplies and flour, will be transported to the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing.
To ease the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, the Chinese government has continued to provide aid to Palestine and has sent several batches of food, medicine and other emergency humanitarian aid to the strip through Egypt, according to the embassy.
I am from Vancouver,Canada and i wanted to say that it is Palestine that is bringing the world and people together.
At Universities in all parts of the world Students are setting up camps at their Universities to condemn their Universities for collaborating with Israeli Genocide. Countries are coming together from South Africa to Nicaragua to Yemen to support Palestine. This is the Multi-Polar world we need and Palestine will make it happen.