China concerned about deterioration of security situation in occupied Palestinian territory: envoy

(ECNS) -- China is concerned about the recent deterioration of the security situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, and deeply saddened by the casualties on both the Palestinian and Israeli sides caused by the violence, especially Palestinian children, a Chinese envoy said Tuesday.

The protection of children in conflict settings is not an empty slogan, but an unshakable moral responsibility and an international obligation that must be fulfilled, said China's Permanent Representative to the UN Zhang Jun at a Security Council meeting. "We call for a thorough investigation of the recent violence and for effective accountability."

According to UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland, the continued violence in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel was taking place on a daily basis, and tragic incidents only highlighted the urgent need for all leaders to work together against the spiral of violence.

"We call on all parties concerned to refrain from provocative words and deeds, to refrain from incitement to violence, to jointly uphold and respect the historic status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem, to make every effort to prevent the situation from escalating out of control, and not to allow the conflict in Gaza last year to repeat itself," Zhang said at the meeting.

The Chinese envoy said that "settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory violate international law, disrupt the contiguity of the occupied Palestinian territory, squeeze the living space of the Palestinian people, and affect the prospects for achieving the two-state solution."

"We call on Israel to halt the expansion of settlements, stop the eviction of Palestinians, stop the demolition of Palestinian homes, and create conditions for the development of Palestinian communities in the West Bank, as called for in Council Resolution 2334, " he continued.

Zhang also urged the international community to continue to help Palestine alleviate its fiscal crisis, improve its economy and people's livelihood, and fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

The envoy underscored that the current security situation in Europe has drawn attention from all parties, but the Palestinian-Israeli issue is equally important.

"The Palestinian question should not be marginalized, much less allowed pending for a long time. China will continue to work with the international community to make unremitting efforts and contribute China's share to a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the question of Palestine," he said.