Palestine Archives - Friends of Socialist China

This is a book above all for the new generation mobilised by Gaza

The following is the full text of the remarks prepared by Keith Bennett for the 20 September online launch of China’s Foreign Policy and the Making of a Multipolar World: Changes Unseen in a Century, which he edited along with Carlos Martinez. (His speech as delivered was abbreviated due to time constraints.)

Taking up the concept of changes unseen in a century, advanced by Xi Jinping and incorporated into the book’s title, Keith notes that: “One key manifestation of this in our part of the world can be summed up in three words: Gaza changes everything.”

He adds that: “It is above all this new generation coming to anti-imperialist politics that we hope our book can reach.”

The book is available from socialistbooks.com. The discount code CHINA35 gives 35 percent off all titles from the publishers Praxis Press until the end of the year.

In his testimonial for the book that we’ve been launching online today, George Galloway, as most if not all of you will know currently a parliamentary candidate for the constituency recently held by the prime minister of the United Kingdom, writes:

“Only the light-hearted care naught for where China goes next. The future of China will shape yours.”

One might disagree with George on many things, but on this at least reasonable people should surely not differ.

Yet, as China, to paraphrase Xi Jinping, steadily advances to the centre of the world stage, in our part of the world there is still a dearth of serious scholarship and a serious lack of understanding of what is actually happening, how the country and its leadership actually thinks and acts, and how that is changing the face not only of China but of the world as a whole.

There is not a shortage of copy per se. If you pick up a comic like the Telegraph, the Mail or the Murdoch Times, you can, on a daily basis, read entertaining fiction, suggesting for example that China is bugging tractors in order to harvest the kind of prosaic information readily available on a government website. Slightly more sophisticated versions of the same are offered by the chronically anachronistic voice of classical liberalism, The Economist, and even the venerable pink paper, the Financial Times.

There are a few, but still far too few, books offering excellent Marxist analysis of China, including from Carlos Martinez, Jenny Clegg, and the late and always much missed Jude Woodward. And from John Ross, Ken Hammond and Roland Boer. There are also the rightly popular work of Martin Jacques and the phenomenal scholarship of Peter Nolan.

Yet if you go into a branch of Waterstones, for example, with the possible exception of Martin Jacques’ key work, thanks in large part to its brilliantly provocative title, you’re highly unlikely to find any of these authors.

What you’re likely to find is the scribblings of the renegade Jung Chang, who serves up a diet of political pornography thinly disguised as biography; of the charlatan Gordon Chang, who informed us in 2001 that China was certain to collapse by 2011, yet is still, presumably as a kind of therapy, periodically paraded in public as some kind of China expert; or of Frank Dikötter, whose dubious scholarship would have us believe that the greatest revolution in human history is little more than one great, century-long criminal conspiracy.

What this all reflects is that the battle on the ideological front, and the battle for public opinion, are key parts of the cold war against socialism and human progress; and are key fronts in the class struggle.

Chairman Mao observed that to make a revolution it is always necessary first of all to create public opinion. And the same goes for counter-revolution.

It was precisely in order to take up that battle for public opinion, as a key front in the class struggle, the struggle for peace and against war, the struggle for socialism and against barbarism, that, in May 2021, Carlos, Danny Haiphong and myself, took the initiative to establish Friends of Socialist China. And why Carlos and myself embarked on this book project.

As they have demonstrated again in their contributions today, the authors represent some of the finest activist scholars working in the China field today. We are indebted to them for giving so generously of their time and their wisdom.

I use the designation activist scholars advisedly. This is exactly what we are aiming for. As Stalin well put it in his celebrated work, Foundations of Leninism:

“Of course, theory becomes purposeless if it is not connected with revolutionary practice, just as practice gropes in the dark if its path is not illumined by revolutionary theory. But theory can become a tremendous force in the working-class movement if it is built up in indissoluble connection with revolutionary practice.”

Xi Jinping pays state visit to Egypt: “The people in the Middle East should be the masters of their own affairs”

Following his state visit to Kyrgyzstan and attendance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Egypt, arriving in Cairo on the evening of September 1.

On that day, Xi published a signed article in Egypt’s three main newspapers, writing that he was, “Setting foot for the second time on this land nourished by the Nile. Just as an Egyptian proverb reads, ‘Once you drink from the Nile, you are destined to return’… Known for their age-old civilisations, China and Egypt have each contributed an invaluable intellectual legacy and splendid cultural heritage to the progress of humanity. The Yangtze River and the Yellow River gave birth to the Chinese civilisation, and the Nile was the cradle of the ancient Egyptian civilisation.”

Against this background: “Seventy years ago, China and Egypt officially established diplomatic relations, marking the start of New China’s friendly cooperation with Arab and African countries. For seven decades, the China-Egypt relationship has braved wind and rain and withstood the test of the changing international landscape. It has stayed on the right course, remained robust as ever, and sustained a strong momentum. It is a fine example for China’s cooperation with Arab states and Africa as a whole, and for friendship, solidarity and collaboration between developing countries.

“China and Egypt have always been close brothers standing by each other. In the struggle for national independence and against imperialism and colonialism, the people of our two countries forged profound friendship. China firmly supported Egypt’s sovereignty over the Suez Canal, and Egypt, alongside the majority of Asian, African, and Latin American and Caribbean countries, voted unequivocally in favour of the restoration of the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations.”

Now, “Egypt is China’s major trading and investment partner in the Arab world and Africa, and one of the first countries to participate in Belt and Road cooperation. As early as ten years ago, President El-Sisi and I jointly unveiled the China-Egypt Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone.”

Xi pointed out that: “China and Egypt have always been sincere friends committed to equality and mutual trust. At the Bandung Conference in 1955, our two countries actively supported the anti-imperial and anti-colonial struggle, and jointly advanced Asian-African solidarity. Today, China and Egypt have shared goals and a common aspiration in upholding international order, championing fairness and justice, and practicing multilateralism. Both sides firmly support the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights, and both are committed to facilitating the political settlement of hotspot issues and realising peace and stability in the region. This demonstrates our commitment, as Global South countries, to seeking strength through unity and upholding fairness and justice…

“We need to enhance mutual trust and serve as a model in carrying forward friendship. The friendship between our two countries was forged by the elder generations of our leaders. It is our honour and responsibility to carry forward, develop and promote this friendship. Our two sides should continue supporting each other on core interests and major concerns and deepen exchanges and cooperation at various levels and across all sectors to ensure that the baton of friendship is passed on from generation to generation.”

Chinese project gives hope to West Bank children

A report published by the Xinhua News Agency on August 25 detailed a Chinese project to give both hope and practical skills to children on the West Bank in conjunction with the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front.

One hundred and thirty-six children participated in a 10-month initiative combining education, extracurricular activities and psychosocial support.

The Volunteer for Hope organisation, affiliated with the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, held a ceremony on August 24, attended by some 100 people, including Sun Zhen, head of the Chinese Office in Palestine, and Ahmed Majdalani, secretary-general of the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front and a Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) Executive Committee member, to mark its successful conclusion.

Funded by the Chinese Office in Palestine, the project included 71 girls and 65 boys and provided 803 hours of educational and training activities, including lessons in English, mathematics and science, alongside activities in chess, Dabke (a traditional Palestinian folk dance), journalism and artificial intelligence applications.

In terms of psychosocial support, 97 children participated in group emotional expression activities, while 28 mothers took part in parenting-related activities.

Xinhua noted that: “The initiative comes as children in the West Bank face growing obstacles to regular education amid movement restrictions, deteriorating security conditions and school disruptions.”

Hind Ayyad, director of the Leaders of Tomorrow project at Volunteer for Hope said that the project had helped children become more confident and encouraged them to remain engaged with education, while expressing hope for continued friendship between the Palestinian and Chinese peoples.

Palestinian Popular Struggle Front leader Majdalani highlighted China’s support and stressed the importance of investing in children and young people as an investment in the future of Palestinian society.

Head of the Chinese Office in Palestine Sun Zhen said Chinese assistance to Palestine was rooted in the friendship between the two peoples, describing “voluntary support” and “hope” as two keywords for Chinese aid. He expressed hope that the participating children would grow into active contributors to their homeland and ambassadors of friendship between the Chinese and Palestinian people.

China at UN: Resolution of Palestine question is long overdue

Speaking at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Palestine-Israel Issue held on August 26, Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong said that: “Recently, the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory has continued to escalate, with a sharp increase in violence, repeated trampling of fairness and justice, and repeated breaches of the moral bottom line, casting an even darker shadow over the prospects for resolving the Palestinian question. The Palestinian people have endured immense suffering, with generations waiting for historical injustices to be redressed.”

He made three points:

No effort should be spared to uphold the ceasefire in Gaza and restore peace and stability at an early date. Recently, the Board of Peace announced progress on the arrangements for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement. Israel not only openly rejected them but went even further by escalating its deadly attacks on Gaza, undermining the fragile situation there. The facts have made it abundantly clear that the fundamental reason why lasting peace has yet to be achieved in Gaza is the lack of political will for peace, and that the biggest obstacle is the dangerous attempt to deliberately prolong the hostilities.
Acts of violence and annexation must be stopped and tensions in the West Bank eased. The security situation in the West Bank is becoming increasingly precarious and acts of violence against Palestinian civilians are appalling. In recent days, settlers in the West Bank have besieged Palestinian residents for days in an attempt to drive them out and seize their homes. China strongly condemns such acts. Any attempt at the de facto annexation of the West Bank is unacceptable. All settlement activities violate international law and Security Council resolutions and must cease immediately.
International fairness and justice must be upheld and the implementation of the two-State solution advanced. Palestine is the homeland of all Palestinians. Governance of the West Bank and post-war reconstruction in Gaza should be advanced in accordance with the principle of Palestinians governing Palestine. The international community should act on the basis of international law, with the aim of addressing both the symptoms and root causes and through practical actions, support the just cause of the Palestinian people in pursuing their legitimate national rights… The legitimate right of Palestinian leaders to attend the general debate of the United Nations General Assembly should be safeguarded.

In his conclusion, Fu Cong noted: “The Palestine question has been on the United Nations agenda for more than 70 years. Its resolution is long overdue.”

Xi Jinping puts forward four-point proposal to help resolve Palestinian issue

King Abdullah II of Jordan paid a state visit to China from August 18 to 24 at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.

Xi met with the Jordanian monarch on the afternoon of August 24. During the meeting, the Chinese president said that the Palestinian question is the core of the Middle East issue, and efforts to resolve it should be guided by four principles:

We must uphold political settlement, adhere to the two-State solution as the right direction, work for the resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel, and realise the early establishment of an independent State of Palestine.

We must uphold the principle of Palestinians governing Palestine. Palestine is the homeland of all Palestinians. The principle of Palestinians governing Palestine should be followed in advancing the governance of the West Bank and postwar reconstruction of Gaza.

We must uphold humanitarianism. The international community, particularly the UN Security Council, should truly take up the responsibility to keep civilians safe, ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and put an end to humanitarian disasters.

We must uphold fairness and justice. We should act on the basis of international rule of law, aim at addressing both the symptoms and root causes, and take practical actions to realise a comprehensive, just and lasting resolution of the Palestinian question at an early date.

Meanwhile, it has been announced that Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Egypt, his first in ten years. Between August 30 to September 3, Xi will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2026 in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek and pay a state visit to Kyrgyzstan and Egypt. His visit to Egypt will mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. Under the leadership of Gamal Abdul Nasser, Egypt was the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with China. This followed the meeting between Nasser and Chinese premier Zhou Enlai at the Africa Asia Conference held in Bandung, Indonesia the previous year.

China at UN: “The lives of the Palestinian people are as precious as those of all other peoples”

China’s Ambassador to the United Nations Fu Cong has once again spoken out strongly in defence of the rights of the Palestinian people.

Addressing a UN Security Council Emergency Briefing on the Palestine-Israel Issue on August 11, having expressed China’s concern over the situation, he said that: “Against the backdrop of growing instability in the region, the Palestinian question must not be ignored or marginalised,” and went on to make three points:

We must get to the root of the problem and truly respect the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people. For some time now, the situation in the West Bank and Gaza has deteriorated sharply, and the Palestinian people have endured ever greater suffering. At its root, this is because the basic principles of international law have not been upheld, while the Palestinian people’s rights to survival and development have long been disregarded. The lives of the Palestinian people are as precious as those of all other peoples.
We must take decisive and effective action to stop conflict and violence. The situation in the West Bank is escalating dangerously. The occupying Power is advancing settlement expansion plans, desecrating and vandalising religious sites, blockading refugee camps and carrying out mass arrests, while settler violence is intensifying. The protection of civilians is not an empty slogan, but an obligation under international law that the occupying Power must fulfil. The situation in Gaza is equally concerning. Even after the Board of Peace announced progress on the arrangements for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, Israel has continued to refuse to halt its military operations. More than 300 days have passed since the ceasefire agreement was reached, yet a lasting ceasefire has still not been achieved. The fundamental problem is not a lack of ceasefire proposals, but a lack of political will to implement them.
We must stay the course and make every effort to revive the political prospects of the two-State solution. Both Gaza and the West Bank are integral parts of the State of Palestine. Israel must end its illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories as soon as possible and cease undermining the foundations of governance of the Palestinian National Authority. The international community should fully respect the will of the Palestinian people, [and] advance post-war reconstruction in Gaza in accordance with the principle of “Palestinians governing Palestine”.

Chinese ambassador reiterates support for Palestine

Chinese Ambassador to the State of Palestine Sun Zhen has reaffirmed China’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause, continuing to provide humanitarian and development assistance, and working to elevate Palestinian-Chinese relations to new levels.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Chinese embassy in Ramallah on August 1, he said that his meetings with the Palestinian leadership had reinforced his awareness of the hardships facing the Palestinian people, stressing that China will continue strengthening bilateral ties, particularly as this year marks the third anniversary of the establishment of the China-Palestine strategic partnership. He added that China is working on implementing development projects in the West Bank, including infrastructure projects such as artificial turf fields, a Chinese school, Beijing Street, and the Palestinian-Chinese Friendship Square.

Sun Zhen reiterated his country’s support for Palestinian national rights, stating that China supports the establishment of a fully sovereign and independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. China rejects all measures that undermine this solution, including settlement expansion in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. China also prohibits investment in and employment in Israeli settlements.

The ambassador explained that China is cooperating with the World Food Programme to alleviate food insecurity in the Gaza Strip. He also noted that China has provided clothing benefiting 38,000 children in the Strip and concluded by affirming that China, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, will continue its unwavering support for the Palestinian cause.

China at UN: The Palestinian question remains at the core of the Middle East issue

China has again spoken out at the United Nations in support of the rights of the Palestinian people.

Addressing an open date at the UN Security Council on July 28, Ambassador Sun Lei said that: “The Palestinian question remains at the core of the Middle East issue and must not be ignored or marginalised. Only by achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question can the vicious cycle of recurring conflict in the Middle East be broken and the dawn of peace truly emerge.”

He went on to make three points:

The suffering of civilians cannot continue, and peace and stability in Gaza must be restored. More than nine months have passed since the Gaza ceasefire agreement was reached, yet bombings, attacks, blockades and sieges have not ceased, and more than two million people remain unable to escape the threats of death and displacement. We call on Israel and the relevant parties to fully implement the ceasefire agreement and achieve a genuine and lasting ceasefire in Gaza. Israel must fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law.

The international rule of law must not be undermined, and tensions in the West Bank must be brought under control. Settler violence in the West Bank is appalling, causing heavy civilian casualties and widespread destruction of homes. The occupying power continues to accelerate settlement expansion and encroach upon Palestinian territory. International law and Security Council resolution 2334 must be observed. Double standards and selective application are unacceptable. We urge Israel to immediately cease all settlement activities, take concrete measures to curb violence, and ensure serious accountability for all attacks.

Fairness and justice must not be absent, and the two-State solution must be implemented. Israel achieved statehood long ago, while the State of Palestine remains far from reality. Any arrangement or new mechanism must adhere to the principle of “the Palestinians governing Palestine,” [and] respect the will of the Palestinian people. China supports the early establishment of an independent State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital and enjoying full sovereignty.

Sun further touched briefly on the situation in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea, as well as on matters related to Lebanon and Syria, and concluded:

“The Middle East belongs to the people of the Middle East. It should not become an arena for great-power rivalry or a victim of geopolitical competition. China will continue to act in the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s four-point proposal on promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, work with the international community to advance political solutions to hotspot issues in the region, support regional countries in pursuing independence, rebuilding mutual trust, and building a new regional security architecture suited to evolving realities, so as to achieve lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.”

The following is the full text of his speech. It was originally published on the website of China’s Permanent Mission to the UN.

Remarks by Ambassador Sun Lei, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations, at the UN Security Council Open Debate on the Situation in the Middle East

July 28 (China’s Permanent Mission to the UN) – Madam President,

I thank Deputy Special Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov for his briefing.

Palestinian parties visit China

Jin Xin, Vice-minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (IDCPC), met with a delegation of Palestinian political parties led by Ali Mashal, Assistant Commissioner of Arab and Chinese Relations of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah), on May 26.

Jin said that China firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights and will work with the international community to promote a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question at an early date. The CPC stands ready to work with all Palestinian political parties to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen ideological exchanges and friendly cooperation, and continuously enrich the connotation of the China-Palestine strategic partnership.

Mashal said that Palestine adheres to the one-China principle and thanks China for its firm support for the Palestinian people’s just cause. The Palestinian political parties are willing to strengthen exchanges with the CPC, enhance exchanges and mutual learning of experience on state governance and administration, and promote greater development of the China-Palestine strategic partnership.

The rise of China and the imminent US exit: What must the Arabs do?

In the following article for the Palestine Chronicle, veteran Palestinian-American journalist Ramzy Baroud reflects on the deeper significance of Donald Trump’s recent state visit to China, and on what the accelerating decline of US hegemony means for the Arab world.

Baroud argues that Trump’s visit will be remembered as the moment Washington tacitly acknowledged Beijing’s ascendancy as a global superpower. Approaching Xi Jinping “not from a position of absolute global dictation, but through a lens of defensive pragmatism”, the US appeared less as an undisputed hegemon than as “a major power among equals”. He draws an instructive contrast with Nixon’s 1972 visit: where China was then a relatively isolated, largely agrarian society, today it is the world’s largest economy by purchasing power parity, a hub of global supply chains, and a leader in artificial intelligence and other frontier technologies.

Nowhere, Baroud writes, is American decline more visible than in the Middle East, where decades of disastrous military campaigns have eroded Washington’s credibility. He situates the US-Israeli war on Iran not as a return to regional dominance but as the “volatile spasms of a fading hegemony”, comparing it to the failed 1956 tripartite aggression against Egypt.

Meanwhile China, free of a colonial legacy and itself a survivor of Western imperialism, advances through economic integration and development
rather than military domination, and is fully committed to the principle of sovereign equality.

The challenge Baroud poses to the Arab world is one of political clarity, sovereignty and unity – and of action, above all, towards the freedom of Palestine.

US President Donald Trump’s state visit to China will go down in history as the day the United States finally acknowledged Beijing’s ascendancy as a global superpower. That acknowledgment does not need to be articulated in a formal statement; it can be clearly read in the subtext of diplomatic behavior, global perception, and shifting media coverage.

During the summit, Trump’s delegation—accompanied by prominent American corporate leaders—engaged with President Xi Jinping not from a position of absolute global dictation, but through a lens of defensive pragmatism. This transactional approach focused on securing bilateral trade commitments and preventing catastrophic economic friction.

The spectacle of the leader of the Western world navigating Beijing’s terms, while actively managing domestic economic anxieties, signals a profound shift. The traditional American posture of undisputed global hegemon has transformed into that of a major power among equals, seeking stable terms of co-existence with an unignorable rival.

The moment is comparable only to Richard Nixon’s historic 1972 visit to Beijing, though the circumstances are entirely different. Back then, the US’s aim was to exploit the Sino-Soviet split and gain leverage over the Soviet Union in exchange for the normalization of diplomatic ties.

China sets out position on Palestine and Strait of Hormuz at UN

Chinese Ambassador to the UN Fu Cong has reiterated China’s clear positions on the rights of the Palestinian people and on the present situation in the Strait of Hormuz at open debates in the Security Council held on consecutive days.

Speaking on April 28, Fu Cong said:

“The Palestinian question has always been at the heart of the Middle East issue and must not be marginalised under any circumstances. For decades, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has revolved in cycles. Its fundamental crux is that the two-State solution is only half-realised. The State of Israel was established long ago, while the State of Palestine remains out of reach. Although intense clashes have come to a halt, the Palestinian people are still forced to keep company with death and suffering, the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories continues to worsen, and the foundation of the two-State solution risks being completely hollowed out. Turmoil and war are not the fate of the Palestinian people. The international community must summon the greatest sense of urgency to reverse this negative trajectory and rectify the historic injustice endured by Palestine.”

He went on to make three points:

Gaza is not a permanent battlefield, and the suffering of its civilians must cease immediately. While efforts by the international community to broker a ceasefire in Gaza are welcome, the most pressing task remains cementing the ceasefire and scaling up aid. Since October last year, Israel has relentlessly mounted attacks and fortified its military presence, resulting in over 800 fatalities and more than 2,000 wounded. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains dire, characterised by scarcity of essential supplies, deplorable sanitary conditions, and a medical system teetering on the precipice of total collapse. Israel must fulfill its international humanitarian law obligations, dismantle all barriers to humanitarian access, and guarantee that UNRWA [the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East] and other humanitarian agencies can carry out their aid work.

Settlement activities are unacceptable, and tensions in the West Bank must be deescalated. Israel is currently accelerating the expansion of settlements, having recently approved the construction of 34 additional settlements and initiating the rebuilding of the Sanur settlement, which had been shuttered for many years. The escalating violence in the West Bank is equally concerning. Settler violence is intensifying, and the occupying power frequently conducts searches, arrests, and raids, even promulgating death penalty legislation specifically targeting Palestinians. Israel must heed the strong appeals of the international community, immediately halt illegal settlement activities, effectively curb settler violence, and ensure robust accountability for all attacks.

The two-State solution is non-negotiable, and the independent statehood of Palestine must be supported. It is deeply concerning that voices opposing the two-State solution continue to come from Israel, with some even threatening to strangle the idea of a Palestinian state. The international community must increase support for Palestine to advance the early establishment of a fully sovereign and independent state of Palestine based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The previous day, Fu Cong made remarks on the Safety and Protection of Waterways in the Maritime Domain in which he said:

Chinese representative voices support for the just cause of the Palestinian people at UN Human Rights Council

China has taken the opportunity of the ongoing 61^st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland to affirm that it will continue to firmly support the just cause of the Palestinian people and work tirelessly for the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Speaking in the general debate on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories, on March 24, Ambassador Jia Guide, Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Other International Organisations in Switzerland, said:

“The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deteriorated to an unprecedented level, and their [the Palestinian people’s] human rights have been grossly violated. Israel has put forward a plan to annex 82 percent of the West Bank, continued to expand settlements, connived at settler violence, and launched attacks against Lebanon and Syria, all of which constitute serious violations of international law and relevant Human Rights Council resolutions.”

The following article was originally published on the website of China’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Other International Organisations in Switzerland.

On 24 March 2026, the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council held the general debate on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories. Ambassador Jia Guide, Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Other International Organizations in Switzerland, attended the meeting and elaborated on China’s position.

Ambassador Jia Guide pointed out that the situation in the Middle East remains turbulent and the suffering of the Palestinian people is alarming. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deteriorated to an unprecedented level, and their human rights have been grossly violated. Israel has put forward a plan to annex 82 percent of the West Bank, continued to expand settlements, connived at settler violence, and launched attacks against Lebanon and Syria, all of which constitute serious violations of international law and relevant Human Rights Council resolutions.

Ambassador Jia stressed that humanitarian access must be restored, a durable ceasefire in Gaza must be achieved, settlement activities must be curbed, and the two-state solution must be implemented. Israel should immediately withdraw from Lebanese and Syrian territories. China will continue to firmly support the just cause of the Palestinian people and work tirelessly for the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Fatah delegation visits China

Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (IDCPC), met in Beijing on January 16 with a visiting delegation of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement Fatah led by Bassam Zakarneh, Member of Fatah’s Revolutionary Council of Palestine and Fatah’s Deputy Minister of Arab Relations and Chinese Affairs.

Liu said that the CPC is willing to work with Fatah to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen political mutual trust, firmly support each other on issues involving respective core interests and major concerns, enhance experience exchange in state governance and administration and cooperation in areas such as youth and women, strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, and promote greater development of China-Palestine strategic partnership through inter-party channels.

Zakarneh said, Palestine spoke highly of the profound and enduring friendship between Palestine and China and sincerely thanks China for the long-term strong support and selfless assistance to the Palestinian people. Palestine will, as always, firmly support China’s core concerns and the cause of reunification.

The following article was originally published on the IDCPC website.

Liu Haixing Meets with a Fatah Delegation of Palestine

Beijing, January 16th (IDCPC) — Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), met here today with a delegation led by Bassam Zakarneh, Member of Fatah’s Revolutionary Council of Palestine and Fatah’s Deputy Minister of Arab Relations and Chinese Affairs.

Liu said, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Mahmoud Abbas, China-Palestine relations have maintained good momentum of development. The CPC is willing to work with Fatah to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen political mutual trust, firmly support each other on issues involving respective core interests and major concerns, enhance experience exchange in state governance and administration and cooperation in areas such as youth and women, strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, and promote greater development of China-Palestine strategic partnership through inter-party channels. Liu also introduced the main achievements of the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Zakarneh said, Palestine highly spoke of the profound and enduring friendship between Palestine and China and sincerely thanks China for the long-term strong support and selfless assistance to the Palestinian people. Palestine will, as always, firmly support China’s core concerns and the cause of reunification. Fatah pays close attention to the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development adopted at the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and is willing to further deepen exchanges and cooperation with the CPC, learn from China’s successful experiences in aspects such as comprehensively exercising rigorous governance over the Party, cultivation of cadres and economic development.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.

Jin Xin, Assistant-minister of the IDCPC, Firas Shomaly, Member of Fatah’s Revolutionary Council of Palestine, and Jawad Mohammed Qutish Awad, Palestinian Ambassador to China, and others, were present.

Chinese scholar says resistance is only viable approach but patience is needed

The following is the text of an interview conducted by the Tehran Times with Chinese scholar Professor Jin Liangxiang on the sidelines of the recent Conference on People’s Rights and Legitimate Freedoms in the Thoughts of Ayatollah Khamenei.

Professor Jin notes that: “The Americans like to talk about liberal democracy and, when doing so, they link it to human rights. They even intervene in the domestic affairs of countries in the Middle East – such as Iran and many others – in the name of humanitarian concerns.

“But in Gaza and Palestine, we have witnessed atrocities committed by Israel, resulting in more than 70,000 deaths. In this regard, the Americans have turned a blind eye. So, I believe the United States is not in a position to lecture others about liberal democracy or to intervene under the banner of humanitarianism.”

Responding to a question on different perceptions of people’s rights and freedoms, he stresses that resistance is the only way out:

“When we talk about freedom, we must begin with justice. The most serious challenge to justice in the region is hegemony and power politics. Therefore, resistance becomes the only viable approach to achieving justice.

“We should not assume that hegemonic powers will make concessions on their own. Those policies will not disappear by themselves. The only way to deliver justice is through resistance. Even though the Middle East has experienced some changes in recent years, as long as oppression exists, resistance will continue.”

However: “The evolution of the international order will be a long process. People across the region – not only Iranians – do not accept hegemony. But weakening hegemonic structures and transforming the global order will take time… So, patience is required. BRICS is developing strong momentum and is expanding with new members. It will need time for internal integration, improving mechanisms, and organising resources. But it will become an important mechanism in shaping the future international order, playing a growing role not only financially but also politically and in the security arena.”

Jin is a senior research fellow at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies (SIIS) as well as a nonresident senior fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, based in Doha, Qatar.

The following article was originally published by Tehran Times. A video of the interview may be viewed here.

China at UN: The Palestinian question remains at the very heart of the Middle East issue

Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Fu Cong addressed a UN Security Council briefing meeting on December 16.

He pointed out that: “When the Middle East is in turmoil, the world cannot be at peace. The Palestinian question remains at the very heart of the Middle East issue… While the first phase ceasefire agreement in Gaza has been reached, the prospect of peace remains distant. The historical injustices endured by the Palestinian people persist. The Palestinian question should never be marginalised.”

Fu raised four key points:

Over the past two months, frequent violations of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza have resulted in the death of over 300 civilians. Reaching a ceasefire agreement must entail the complete cessation of all hostilities, not merely a downgrade from intense conflict to low-intensity attacks.

The suffering of civilians must not continue, and urgent actions are needed to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Winter storms have brought heavy rains, inundating numerous temporary camps and putting hundreds of thousands of displaced people under severe threat. Israel’s continued restrictions on access to essential supplies are impeding the efforts of UNRWA [The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East] and other humanitarian agencies to deliver critical assistance. Last week, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution supporting the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which clearly affirms Israel’s obligations as the occupying power to ensure humanitarian supplies to Gaza and to cooperate with UNRWA and other relevant agencies. China urges Israel to earnestly fulfill its obligations under international law, open all border crossings, lift access restrictions on humanitarian supplies, and support the work of the UN and other aid agencies.

The situation in the West Bank must not be overlooked, and unilateral actions in violation of international law must cease immediately. The occupying power continues to advance settlement policies, demolish Palestinian homes, and condone settler violence, resulting in massive civilian casualties and displacement. Settlement activities violate international law and Council Resolution 2334, leading to the shrinkage of Palestinian living space and eroding the foundations of the two-State solution.

Justice and fairness must prevail, and the two-State solution must be implemented without delay. Implementing the two-State solution and establishing an independent state of Palestine is the only viable path to resolving the Palestinian question. Any arrangements concerning Gaza’s future must be guided by the principle of Palestinians governing Palestine. Any attempt to alter Gaza’s territorial or demographic composition must be firmly rejected. The international community must redouble its efforts to advance the two-State solution, support the early establishment of an independent state of Palestine, and facilitate its full membership in the UN.

In conclusion, he reiterated:

“China firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights. Recently, President Xi Jinping has on multiple occasions, comprehensively articulated China’s position and proposals for resolving the Palestinian question and announced that China will provide 100 million US dollars in assistance to Palestine to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support its recovery and reconstruction. China will continue to work with the international community to promote a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian crisis, and make unremitting efforts towards a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the Palestinian question at an early date.”

The following article was originally published on the website of China’s Permanent Mission to the UN.

President，

I wish to begin by expressing our condolences to the victims of the mass shooting in Sydney, Australia, and expressing our solidarity with the bereaved families and those injured. I thank Deputy Special Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov for his briefing.

When the Middle East is in turmoil, the world cannot be at peace. The Palestinian question remains at the very heart of the Middle East issue. The latest outbreak of the Gaza conflict has brought unimaginable suffering to both Palestinian and Israeli civilians and triggered severe spillover effects across the Middle East. While the first phase ceasefire agreement in Gaza has been reached, the prospect of peace remains distant. The historical injustices endured by the Palestinian people persist. The Palestinian question should never be marginalized. The international community must further build consensus and take more proactive actions to advance a political solution.

The Resistance Front and BRICS

The following article, written for Al Mayadeen by Australian author and academic Tim Anderson, addresses the frustration voiced by some anti-imperialists with regard to China and Russia’s abstention on UN Security Council Resolution 2803 – Trump’s ‘comprehensive plan’ to end the Gaza conflict.

Tim argues that much of the criticism of China and Russia stems from misunderstandings about the nature of the multipolar trajectory and from unrealistic expectations that countries outside the region would share the principles and methods of the Resistance Front in West Asia (Iran, the Palestinian Resistance, the Lebanese Resistance, Syria pre-December 2024, Ansar Allah-led Yemen, and the Iraqi Resistance).

The article observes that the Security Council resolution was supported by the Palestinian Authority and by the other states in the region, making it difficult for China or Russia to veto. “The US had the Gulf Arab regimes plus the PLO-Palestinian Authority in its pocket. Russia and China had no allies and would have had to oppose the PLO and bear the blame for blocking a PLO-supported end to the bombing.”

While both China and Russia maintain relations with the various organisations of Palestinian resistance, they also have historic ties with the PLO, and bilateral relations with the internationally-recognised government of the Palestinian State. Tim writes: “The widespread historical support for the PLO and the PA, and therefore also the ‘two-state’ notion promoted up to now by the PLO, is largely a consequence of Palestinian disunity and the failure of Resistance factions to be properly represented in the PLO, the only Palestinian body that has UN status. This is a problem for the Resistance. It is hard to expect allies in other continents to contradict the PLO-PA on this and opt for (without Palestinian leadership) a single democratic state in Palestine.”

Tim concludes:

We should understand and build realistic relations with a range of allies that may not share all our values. Russia and China are not part of the Resistance Front, but they are playing an important role in building structures to bypass US power and thus facilitate a multipolar and freer world, which will help all independent peoples. We should neither exaggerate their “saviour” capacities nor their failings. They will have an important place in the future as the only strategic alternative to the current global dictatorship.

Tim’s analysis correlates with the recently-published article on the topic by Massimiliano Ay, General Secretary of the Communist Party (Switzerland).

Supporters of the Resistance Front in West Asia are understandably disappointed by the failure of Russia and China to fully oppose Washington’s machinations at the UNSC over Gaza. This follows Syrian disappointment over Russia’s rapid engagement with al-Jolani’s regime in Damascus and Moscow’s ongoing relations with the Israelis.

However, there are common pro-Resistance misunderstandings of the great counterweights in the world, which lead to inaccurate claims that the BRICS leaders are ‘selling out’ or ‘betraying’ the Resistance. Those misunderstandings deserve some attention. At the core are principles of identifying the real enemies of the Resistance, as distinct from those with whom there might be normal or productive relations. We should neither exaggerate the ‘saviour’ status nor the failings of our potential allies.

Two complementary strategies in support of Palestine and multipolarity

We are very pleased to publish the following contributed article by Comrade Massimiliano Ay, General Secretary of the Communist Party (Switzerland), which makes an original analysis of the present state of the Palestinian struggle, and the role of various international actors in this regard, within the context of the multipolarity trend and on the basis of Marxism-Leninism.

He notes that, back in September 2024, he had written that, from a tactical viewpoint, Israel was apparently winning, but from a strategic one, it would lose, and this is now being reflected in a range of tactical adjustments on the part of various imperialist forces.

Against this background, he continues: “China (and its Communist Party) will probably tactically follow a different line from us Western communists (and perhaps also from Arab communists) who lack governmental responsibility. This potential difference in method must in no way be read as a capitulation or, worse, as a Chinese betrayal of the Palestinian cause, but rather as an intelligent political move complementary to our struggle! For although, as stated by the top Chinese representative at the UN, “the Palestinian question is at the heart of Middle Eastern issues” and is therefore not an insignificant element in the path of the New Silk Road, it is also true that the conflict between imperialism and multipolarism is fought on a global level and not only in Gaza: Ukraine, for example, is at this moment a war scenario potentially much more dangerous for the world than Gaza, and Moscow therefore has this priority. Beijing for its part must win the battle against Trump’s tariffs, otherwise the entire Chinese economic strategy would be weakened.”

In this way, Comrade Ay creatively utilises and applies the same dialectical approach advanced by Mao Zedong, for example in his speech to the November 1957 Moscow Meeting of Communist and Workers’ Parties, where he said that the compromises made by socialist countries in their relations with capitalist states should not necessarily be followed by others. “Each party and country must consider its own conditions.”

Ay adds: “It is therefore no surprise that last November 17th, both Beijing and Moscow abstained in the UN Security Council, thus allowing the (awful) Donald Trump plan to pass de facto. Comrade Fu Cong, China’s ambassador to the UN, while stressing that this resolution, put to a vote rather hastily, was ‘deficient in many aspects and deeply concerning’, especially because it does not establish that ‘Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people and to no one else’, explicitly reiterated that Beijing’s priority remains, at all costs, ‘a lasting ceasefire, alleviating the humanitarian disaster, and starting post-war reconstruction to rekindle the hope of peace and development for the population of Gaza’.

Xi Jinping pledges US$100 million for Palestine

In the latest manifestation of China’s long-standing support for the just struggle of the Palestinian people, President Xi Jinping has announced that his country will provide 100 million US dollars of assistance to Palestine to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support its recovery and reconstruction.

Xi made the announcement on December 4 during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was paying a state visit to China.

The following day Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said that since the outbreak of the conflict, China has provided multiple batches of humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip through the UN, Egypt, Jordan and other channels, which was welcomed and appreciated by the Palestinian government and people. China firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights and will continue working relentlessly with the international community for a full and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, the easing of humanitarian situation there, and an early political settlement of the Palestinian question.

In its response to this news, Hamas stated:

“The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas expresses its great appreciation to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the friendly People’s Republic of China for announcing the provision of humanitarian aid worth $100 million in support of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and to alleviate their humanitarian suffering under the continuous aggression imposed by the occupation on our people, and to contribute to the efforts of reconstruction.

“This generous initiative comes as an extension of China’s historical and firm positions in support of the rights of our Palestinian people, which are non-negotiable, including their right to freedom and independence, their right to self-determination, and the establishment of their independent Palestinian state with full sovereignty and its capital Jerusalem.”

The Palestinian News and Information Agency WAFA further reported that President Mahmoud Abbas had sent a letter to Xi Jinping expressing his deep appreciation, adding that this generous initiative embodies China’s principled and unwavering stance in support of justice and reflects the profound humanitarian and moral solidarity demonstrated by the Chinese leadership towards the Palestinian people in light of the unprecedented aggression and suffering they are enduring.

China demands an end to Israeli ceasefire violations and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza

China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong has again reiterated his country’s strong solidarity with the Palestinian people and condemned Israel for its ceasefire violations, continued obstruction of desperately needed humanitarian aid and worsening settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing on November 24, Fu began by stating that: “The Palestinian question lies at the heart of the Middle East issue and bears on peace and security in the region and beyond.”

He continued: “We welcome the agreement reached on the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire. However, peace between Palestine and Israel is still far from being achieved, and the suffering of civilians continues. We call on the international community to work harder with the greatest sense of urgency and unwavering political will toward restoring peace in the region.”

In this regard, he advanced four points:

Achieving a lasting ceasefire in Gaza is a top priority. We note with concern that violent clashes persist despite the ceasefire. Israel has reportedly committed over 400 violations of the agreement, resulting in more than 300 civilian deaths in Gaza. A ceasefire means the complete cessation of all attacks and should be observed by all parties in good faith. Any incident causing civilian casualties is unacceptable and repeated attacks must not become the new normal in Gaza.

Scaling up humanitarian assistance for Gaza is a matter of urgency. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with severe shortages of essential supplies and medical equipment. Humanitarian access to Gaza continues to face multiple obstacles, and the aid that does reach Gaza falls far short of the quantity specified in the ceasefire agreement. The International Court of Justice has issued multiple advisory opinions and orders of provisional measures, stating unequivocally that, as the occupying power, Israel is under obligation to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

Easing tensions in the West Bank is a pressing demand. The occupying power’s continued settlement expansion and connivance of settler violence have further fuelled the tensions in the West Bank. As documented by the UN, there were more than 260 incidents of settler violence last month alone, resulting in significant civilian casualties and property damage, making it the most devastating month since 2006.

Implementing the two-State solution is the only way out. Both Gaza and the West Bank are inseparable parts of the Palestinian state. Any future arrangements on Gaza should be guided by the principle of Palestinians governing Palestine and respect the will of the Palestinian people. The international community must redouble efforts to advance the two-State solution, oppose any unilateral actions that undermine its foundation, and support the early realisation of independent Palestinian statehood and its full UN membership.

We reproduce Fu Cong’s full statement below. It was originally published on the website of China’s permanent mission to the UN.

In this regard, he advanced four points:

Achieving a lasting ceasefire in Gaza is a top priority. We note with concern that violent clashes persist despite the ceasefire. Israel has reportedly committed over 400 violations of the agreement, resulting in more than 300 civilian deaths in Gaza. A ceasefire means the complete cessation of all attacks and should be observed by all parties in good faith. Any incident causing civilian casualties is unacceptable and repeated attacks must not become the new normal in Gaza.

Scaling up humanitarian assistance for Gaza is a matter of urgency. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with severe shortages of essential supplies and medical equipment. Humanitarian access to Gaza continues to face multiple obstacles, and the aid that does reach Gaza falls far short of the quantity specified in the ceasefire agreement. The International Court of Justice has issued multiple advisory opinions and orders of provisional measures, stating unequivocally that, as the occupying power, Israel is under obligation to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

Easing tensions in the West Bank is a pressing demand. The occupying power’s continued settlement expansion and connivance of settler violence have further fuelled the tensions in the West Bank. As documented by the UN, there were more than 260 incidents of settler violence last month alone, resulting in significant civilian casualties and property damage, making it the most devastating month since 2006.

Implementing the two-State solution is the only way out. Both Gaza and the West Bank are inseparable parts of the Palestinian state. Any future arrangements on Gaza should be guided by the principle of Palestinians governing Palestine and respect the will of the Palestinian people. The international community must redouble efforts to advance the two-State solution, oppose any unilateral actions that undermine its foundation, and support the early realisation of independent Palestinian statehood and its full UN membership.

We reproduce Fu Cong’s full statement below. It was originally published on the website of China’s permanent mission to the UN.

China ‘supports just cause of Palestinian people’, urges lasting ceasefire

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and urged the international community to step up efforts to support the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

In his congratulatory message to a UN meeting held on November 25 to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Xi said the Palestinian issue lies at the heart of the Middle East conflict, affecting international fairness, justice, and regional stability. “As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights.”

He added that post-conflict governance and reconstruction in Gaza should be carried out under the principle of “Palestinians governing Palestine,” with full respect for the will of the Palestinian people and said the Palestinian issue is also a test of the effectiveness of the global governance system.

He called on nations to confront the root causes of the Palestinian issue, shoulder responsibility, take strong actions, correct historical injustices and uphold fairness and justice.

The following article was originally published by Palestine Chronicle.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and urged the international community to step up efforts to support the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, according to Chinese media cited by the Anadolu news agency.

In his congratulatory message to a UN meeting held on Tuesday to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Xi said the Palestinian issue lies at the heart of the Middle East conflict, affecting international fairness, justice, and regional stability, the Xinhua news agency reported.