China urges action to ensure Nakba becomes history through two-State solution

16/5/2025 6:15

China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Geng Shuang, on Thursday called for urgent steps to realize a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian question, stressing that only through the implementation of the two-State solution can the Nakba be consigned to history.

"Seventy-seven years ago, more than half of the Palestinian people were expelled or fled from their homes during the Arab-Israeli war, and they have since embarked on the arduous journey of striving for their legitimate rights and interests. Today, 77 years later, the historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people has not only remained unaddressed, but has even worsened," said Geng at a United Nations commemoration marking the 77th anniversary of the Nakba.

Highlighting the devastating impact of the 19-month-long conflict in Gaza, Geng said more than 53,000 Palestinians had lost their lives and two million people now face "an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe" under an intensifying Israeli siege.

The continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank and rising settler violence are "relentlessly squeezing the space for the Palestinian people and eroding the basis of the two-State solution," he said.

"The question of Palestine, at the core of the Middle East issue, bears on the peace, stability, and long-term security of the region. The implementation of the two-State solution is the only viable way to resolve the question," said Geng. "The imperative now is to immediately realize a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and alleviate the humanitarian disaster."

He urged Israel to comply with UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, respect the International Court of Justice's provisional measures and advisory opinion, and "immediately cease all military attacks and violations of international law, especially international humanitarian law, lift the blockade of Gaza, stop settlement activities in the West Bank, and curb settler violence."

"A major power with significant influence over the party concerned should uphold an impartial and objective position, and take tangible actions to calm the fighting in Gaza and ease tensions in West Bank," he said.

Reaffirming China's long-standing position, Geng reiterated the country's support for an independent State of Palestinian "based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital," as well as Palestine's full membership in the United Nations.

He also expressed support for the Gaza recovery and reconstruction plan jointly launched by Egypt and other Arab countries, and the high-level conference on the two-State solution to be held by France and Saudi Arabia in June, "which will give new impetus to its implementation."

"China will continue to work tirelessly with all peace-loving countries to promote the implementation of the two-State solution and to realize a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the question of Palestine at an early date, so that the Nakba day will forever remain in the past," Geng said.