Below is the full text of a joint statement on the situation in the Middle East issued by China and France on Monday.

Joint statement by China and France on the situation in the Middle East

At the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of France, President Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, paid a state visit to France from May 5 to 7, where the Presidents of the two countries exchanged in-depth views on the situation in the Middle East:

1- China and France, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, work together to find constructive solutions, based on international law, to the challenges and threats facing international security and stability.

2- China and France condemn all violations that contravene international humanitarian law, including all acts of terrorist violence and indiscriminate attacks against civilians. It reminds both countries of the absolute necessity of protecting civilians in Gaza in accordance with international humanitarian law. The two heads of state expressed their objection to the Israeli attack on Rafah, which would lead to a broader humanitarian catastrophe, in addition to their objection to the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians.

3- The Presidents of the two countries stressed the urgent need for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire, to enable the widespread delivery of humanitarian aid and the protection of civilians in the Gaza Strip. The two presidents called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and to ensure humanitarian access to meet their medical and other humanitarian needs, as well as respect for international law with regard to all detainees. The two presidents also called for the immediate and effective implementation of relevant United Nations resolutions, in particular UN Security Council Resolutions No. 2712, 2720 and 2728. This is the only reliable way to ensure peace and security for all and to ensure that neither Palestinians nor Israelis suffer from the horrors they have experienced since the attack of October 7, 2023.

4- The presidents of the two countries called for the effective opening of all important corridors and crossing points, to enable the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip quickly, safely, sustainably and without obstacles. The presidents of the two countries stressed the importance of strengthening coordination of international humanitarian efforts.

5- The presidents of the two countries called on all parties to refrain from taking unilateral measures that would exacerbate tensions, and in this regard, they condemned Israel’s policy regarding building settlements, which violate international law and constitute a major obstacle to lasting peace and to the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state. Viable and contiguous. The presidents of the two countries reaffirmed that the future governance of the Gaza Strip cannot be separated from a comprehensive political settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution.

6- The two heads of state called for working again to launch a decisive and irreversible political process to implement the two-state solution in a concrete way, where Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace and security, with Jerusalem as their capital, and a viable, independent and sovereign Palestinian state is established based on borders. The year 1967. The two heads of state affirmed their commitment to this solution, which is the only way to meet the legitimate aspirations of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples towards lasting peace and security.

7- The two presidents also expressed their deep concern about the risk of escalation in the region, and urged preventing turmoil at the regional level. China and France are working with their partners to calm the situation, and call on all parties to exercise restraint.

8- China and France affirm their commitment to promoting a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action reached in 2015 is a major result of multilateral diplomacy. The two countries are concerned about the risks of escalation, recall the importance of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and facilitate diplomatic efforts, and affirm their commitment to protecting the international regime for nuclear non-proliferation and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.

9- The presidents of the two countries stressed the importance of protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and urged an immediate cessation of attacks on civilian ships, to protect maritime security and global trade and prevent regional tensions and humanitarian and environmental risks.

10- The presidents of the two countries called for the Olympic Truce to be observed during the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. The Olympic Truce calls on all parties to cease hostilities during the period of the two Olympic Games. At a time when conflicts are spreading and tensions are increasing, the truce is an opportunity to work towards a lasting solution to conflicts in full respect of international law.