Wang Yi at the UN, February 18 -- image via video screenshot
On Tuesday, February 18, Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi clearly and forcefully dismissed Donald Trump's recent provocation when the US President said that the United States would take over and develop the Gaza Strip removing its Palestinian population.
"Gaza and the West Bank are the homeland of the Palestinian people, not a bargaining chip in political trade-offs. The Palestinians governing Palestine is an important principle that must be followed in the post-conflict governance of Gaza," he said as he chaired a meeting of the 15-member UN Security Council on "Practicing Multilateralism, Reforming and Improving Global Governance".
At a press conference later that day, Wang stated that Gaza is the Palestinian homeland and a part of Palestinian territory and that the post-conflict governance of Gaza should adhere to the principle of "Palestinians governing Palestine".
"The Palestinian question remains at the core of the Middle East issue. Without the implementation of the two-state solution, the logic of repaying grievance with grievance will not cease, and the cycle of violence for violence will not end. Peace and stability in the Middle East will not be guaranteed, and the peace and security of all countries will be threatened."
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized these points further during a press conference on February 19 where he said:
It is important to uphold the principle of “the Palestinians governing Palestine” in the post-conflict governance of Gaza and let the Palestinian people rebuild their homes on their own territory. In the long run, the ultimate solution to the Palestinian question lies in returning to the right track of the two-State solution and realizing the peaceful coexistence and common development of Palestine and Israel.
Meanwhile, the severe humanitarian situation in Gaza also needs greater and continuous attention and support from the international community. Recently, the Chinese government has provided Gaza with humanitarian emergency aid, consisting of 60,000 food parcels, which will be transported from Jordan. The initial shipment, which includes about 12,000 food parcels, was sent out. As a responsible major country, China will continue to work with the international community to make relentless efforts for the deescalation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the lasting peace and security in the Middle East.