President of the Security Council: Chinese Companies in Settlements are 'Private' and We Have Launched an Investigation into Their Activities

China's Ambassador to the United Nations, Fu Cong, who holds the presidency of the UN Security Council for the current month of May, announced that his country is paying close attention to UN reports indicating the presence of Chinese companies operating within illegal Israeli settlements. The Ambassador clarified in a press conference that these companies belong to the private sector and are not government institutions, noting the difficulty of constantly tracking the activities of thousands of private companies, but he confirmed the launch of an official investigation to ascertain the facts.

Fu Cong stressed that the Palestinian issue remains at the core of Middle East crises, expressing Beijing's deep concern over the deteriorating conditions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. He pointed out that the continuation of settlement activities erodes the foundations of the two-state solution, placing responsibility on the Security Council to compel all parties, especially Israel, to an immediate ceasefire and to allow unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid.

In the context of the Chinese presidency's work program for the Council, the Ambassador revealed preparations for a high-level open meeting on May 26, which will be chaired by Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The meeting will focus on the necessity of adhering to the rules of international law and activating the UN Charter, in light of what he described as the recent disturbances in the international system and the marginalization of the international organization's role due to increasing divisions.

Regarding the field situation in Gaza, sources reported that the Security Council is awaiting a detailed report on compliance with Resolution No. 2803 of 2026. The Chinese Ambassador affirmed that his country is closely monitoring ongoing violations and calls for the necessity of reviving the political process to ensure regional stability and prevent the collapse of the international system, which relies on collective action and solidarity among member states.

Concerning the Lebanese file, the Ambassador described the situation on the southern border as still volatile and capable of igniting at any moment. He condemned attacks targeting civilians, infrastructure, and international peacekeeping forces, demanding that the Security Council send a firm message supporting Lebanon's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, with the necessity of supporting the Lebanese government's efforts to achieve internal stability.

The Chinese Ambassador touched upon the Syrian crisis, considering that Damascus is going through a sensitive transitional phase that requires international support to achieve national reconciliation and reconstruction. He called on the Security Council to intensify efforts to combat terrorism in Syria and help the state regain its regional role, noting that diplomatic solutions are the only way to end long-standing conflicts in the region.

In a striking statement regarding regional tensions, Fu Cong described what is happening in the Strait of Hormuz as a result of what he called an 'illegal war' waged by the United States and Israel against Iran. He expressed his country's sympathy with Tehran, affirming that the only way out of the crisis lies in reopening the strait for international navigation in conjunction with lifting the blockade imposed on Iranian ports to ensure the flow of global trade.

Regarding the future of the 'UNIFIL' mission in southern Lebanon, the Ambassador explained that studies are currently underway within the UN corridors to explore possible alternatives in the event of the implementation of Resolution 2790, which calls for ending the mission's mandate. He affirmed that China awaits the official proposals to be submitted by the UN Secretary-General before taking a final stance on the continuation of international forces or their replacement with other mechanisms.

The Ambassador also reviewed his country's priorities regarding the African continent, affirming that the files of Sudan, Libya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo will be at the top of the Security Council's agenda during the current month. He indicated that China seeks to strengthen the role of peacekeeping missions in Africa and make practical decisions that contribute to monitoring conflict areas and supporting sustainable development as a tool to prevent the recurrence of armed conflicts.

The Chinese Ambassador concluded his conference by emphasizing Beijing's desire to build stable relations with Washington based on cooperation in addressing thorny international issues. He warned against some great powers tending towards unilateral action, expressing China's readiness to increase its financial contributions to the UN budget to cover any financial deficit that may result from a decline in contributions from other countries, in order to ensure the continuity of the international organization's work.

These are private companies, and not all their activities can be tracked, but we have opened an investigation and will ascertain the facts regarding their relationship with the settlements.