Wang Yi Has Phone Call with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki

Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki.

Riyad Al-Maliki gave an update on Palestine's position, and expressed heartfelt thanks to China for upholding justice, sending out a  clear and strong message, standing firmly with the Palestinian people, and providing emergency humanitarian assistance for Palestine. He noted that China's support demonstrates the strong friendship between Palestine and China. Palestine calls for an immediate ceasefire, delivering relief goods to the Gaza Strip as soon as possible, and treating the injured. Riyad Al-Maliki expressed the hope that with the help of the international community, the Palestinian question can be solved at the root, and an independent state of Palestine be established.

Wang Yi said that China deeply sympathizes with the Palestine people in plight, especially the people in Gaza. China strongly condemns and opposes all acts that harm civilians and violate international law, and calls for an immediate ceasefire to ensure the most basic living conditions for the people in the Gaza Strip. The United Nations (UN) Security Council should earnestly shoulder its responsibilities, and the international community must act urgently. Countries outside the region, especially major countries, should take an objective and just position and play a constructive role in de-escalating the crisis.

Wang Yi said that what the people of Gaza need most is security, food and medicine, rather than conflict, arms and ammunition. What the Gaza Strip hopes to see most is efforts to end the fighting and promote peace, rather than geopolitical calculations. China has provided emergency humanitarian assistance through the Palestinian National Authority and UN agencies respectively, and will continue to provide material assistance in accordance with the needs of the people in Gaza.

Wang Yi said that the only way out of the Palestinian question is to implement the two-state solution and ensure the Palestinian people's right to subsistence, statehood and right to return. China calls for convening a more authoritative, broad-based and effective international peace conference as soon as possible to promote the early resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel, and to formulate a specific timetable and road-map to this end. China has been working for a ceasefire and end of violence and calling for restoration of peace. China will continue to stand on the side of international fairness and justice, and make relentless efforts with the international community for a comprehensive, just and enduring solution to the Palestinian question at an early date.