May 12th the UN Security Council held its second emergency consultation on the situation in Palestine this week. Ambassador Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, presided over the meeting as The Chairman-in-Office of the Security Council and made a country statement setting out China’s position.
Zhang Jun said that the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory has continued to deteriorate in recent days, violence and tensions in East Jerusalem continue to escalate, violent clashes in the Gaza Strip, resulting in a large number of civilian casualties. The Palestinian side has repeatedly written to the Council, asking it to pay more attention and take action.
China expresses deep concern over the current situation in Palestine, strongly condemns violence against civilians and calls on all parties concerned, especially Israel, to exercise restraint. China urges all parties to immediately cease hostilities, earnestly abide by their obligations under relevant United Nations resolutions and international law, and refrain from actions that could lead to an escalation of the situation. The status quo of the historical formation of holy sites in the Old City of Jerusalem should be maintained and respected.
Zhang stressed that in the face of the current serious situation, we should make every effort to promote the situation to cool down, protect the safety and rights of ordinary civilians, and prevent the outbreak of a full-scale crisis.
China supports the United Nations to play a greater role in easing tensions. The Council, which has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, should have a united voice reaffirming its commitment to the two-State solution and its mission to maintain international peace.
