Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, speaks after a Security Council open debate on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, May 16, 2021.
A Chinese envoy on Sunday vowed to push for UN Security Council action to defuse Israeli-Palestinian tension.
Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said China will continue to push the council to take prompt action and to speak in one voice.
"We must take action in ending the current crisis, especially through political dialogue," he told reporters after a Security Council open debate on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which was requested by China, Norway and Tunisia.
China will continue to work closely with Norway, Tunisia and other members of the Security Council to seek the adoption of a statement by the council, Zhang said. "We sincerely hope that all members will join our efforts for that."
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired Sunday's open debate and comprehensively elaborated on China's position at the meeting. The most urgent task is to cease fire and stop the violence.
China is very much concerned about the alarming, worrisome situation in the occupied Palestinian territory. What is equally important is to advance a just settlement of the Palestinian question on the basis of the two-state solution, Zhang said.
"For all of that, the Security Council shoulders heavy responsibilities. We must act to seek immediate de-escalation of the tension, halt hostilities, protect civilians and provide humanitarian assistance to those in desperate need. We must act to bring the Middle East peace process back to the right track, implement relevant United Nations resolutions and reconfirm our support to the two-state solution," he said.
It's obvious that without a just settlement of the Palestinian question, there will be no true peace in Palestine, Israel or the wider Middle East region, he added.
After the Security Council open debate, China, Norway and Tunisia issued a joint statement to demand an immediate cessation of hostilities.
The three countries expressed deep concern about the situation in Gaza and the rising number of civilian casualties, and called for an immediate end to hostilities, full respect for international law, including international humanitarian law, and the protection of civilians, especially children, says the joint statement.
