Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a joint press conference with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell after the China-Europe High-level Strategic Dialogue on October 13, 2023.

In response to a journalist's question regarding the current situations in Palestine and Israel, Wang Yi said that the current situation in Palestine is very dangerous. This round of conflict has resulted in a large number of civilian deaths and injuries, and the humanitarian situation has deteriorated sharply. The Chinese side condemns the targeting of civilians in all its forms, and rejects any actions that violate international law.

Wang Yi stressed that in the face of the current dangerous situation, the Chinese side believes that the first priority is: first, a ceasefire as soon as possible, to avoid expanding the war without borders, and to avoid further deterioration of the situation; Secondly, adhere to international humanitarian law, make every effort to ensure the safety of civilians, and open the humanitarian relief corridor as soon as possible, to avoid serious humanitarian disasters; Third, all concerned countries must exercise calm and restraint, adhere to objectivity and justice, and push for reducing tension, to avoid a greater shock to regional and international security. Fourth, the United Nations must play a required role in resolving the Palestinian issue, and the UN Security Council must bear important responsibility in this regard, and push for reaching international consensus and taking concrete measures as quickly as possible.

Wang Yi said that the Chinese side is in the process of communicating with relevant parties. We will actively participate in the urgent discussion in the UN Security Council, and support Secretary-General António Guterres' urgent appeal on the protection of civilians. We will also provide urgent humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian National Authority through the United Nations channel.

Wang Yi pointed out that the Palestinian issue remained the core of the Middle East issue, and a bleeding wound that is still open in today's world. The source of this issue lies in the failure to achieve the aspiration of establishing an independent State of Palestine for a long time, and the failure to correct the historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people. Israel has the right to establish its state, and Palestine has the same right. The survival of the Israeli people has been guaranteed, but who cares about the lives of the Palestinian people? The Jewish nation was not displaced in the world, but when will the children of the Palestinian people return to their homes? This world witnesses injustice of all kinds. As for the injustice against Palestine, it has continued for more than half a century and has left many generations suffering. This injustice cannot continue! The solution to this issue is the “two-state solution” and the establishment of an independent state of Palestine. This is the only solution to achieve peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel and achieve harmonious interaction between the Arab and Jewish nations. The Middle East region cannot anticipate true peace, and Israel cannot achieve permanent security, unless the “two-state solution” is fully implemented on the ground. The correct way to advance the "two-state solution" is to quickly resume peace negotiations, while activating a positive role for all mechanisms in advancing peace negotiations. The Chinese government's special envoy for the Middle East issue will visit the relevant countries in the region, to make positive efforts to advance a ceasefire, prevent violence, and calm the situation. At the same time, China calls for the speedy convening of an international peace conference with greater credibility, greater influence, and on a broader scale under the auspices of the United Nations, in order to crystallize international consensus on advancing peace negotiations, and to push for finding a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue at an early date.

Wang Yi stressed that the Chinese side, as usual, will stand by peace, justice and international law, stand by the common aspirations of most countries in the world, and stand by the conscience of humanity.