Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations Ma Zhaoxu speaks at the UN Security Council's open debate on the Middle East situation at UN headquaters in New York, on July 24, 2018. Ma said Tuesday that the "two-state solution" is the fundamental way to resolve conflicts between Palestine and Israel while calling for increased efforts to resume talks. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
Chinese ambassador to the UN Ma Zhaoxu said Tuesday that the "two-state solution" is the fundamental way to resolve conflicts between Palestine and Israel while calling for increased efforts to resume talks.
The Chinese envoy made the remarks when speaking at the United Nations Security Council's open debate on the Middle East situation.
Describing the situation between Palestine and Israel as "deeply worrying" and "fragile", Ma said, "'The two-state solution' is the fundamental way to resolve conflicts" between them.
"The international community should adhere to the relevant UN resolutions, the principle of 'land for peace' and the Arab Peace Initiative in scaling up its efforts for the resumption of talks," he added.
In particular, Ma said, "Concrete actions should be taken to implement Security Council resolution 2334, cease all settlement activities on the occupied territory and the demolition of Palestinian houses and property."
While urging to stop violence against civilians and take steps to meet each other halfway so as to create necessary conditions, the Chinese envoy also proposed to convene a new international conference for an early resumption of talks.
"We support convening a new international conference on the question of Palestine and exploring innovative mechanisms to facilitate peace in the Middle East to break the deadlock in Palestinian-Israeli talks as soon as possible," Ma said.
Ma reiterated China's support for the establishment of an independent and fully sovereign state of Palestine based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Meanwhile, "China will continue to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Palestine and make an additional contribution of 2 million U.S. dollars to UNWRA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East)," he said.
To improve the security situation in the Middle East, Ma added, "China stands ready to work with regional countries to enhance the alignment of strategies and actions."
