“Gaza is not a bargaining chip,” China voices support for Palestinian sovereignty

China strongly opposed attempts to undermine Palestinian statehood, as Foreign Minister Wang Yi addressed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). In his speech, he also emphasised the need for a peaceful resolution to Russia’s war on Ukraine.

“Gaza and the West Bank are the homeland of the Palestinian people, not a bargaining chip in political trade-offs. The principle of Palestinians governing Palestine must be upheld in the post-conflict governance of Gaza,” Wang stated during the UNSC session.

Reaffirming China’s support for a two-state solution, the minister's remarks came amid global outrage over former US President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal, which called for the displacement of Gazans.

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Wang also expressed China’s backing for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, mediated by Saudi Arabia.

He stressed that while the world is focused on resolving the Ukraine crisis, the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza must not be overlooked.

"We must realise that in our world today, there's not just the Ukraine issue. There are also many other crises, including the conflict in Gaza, which require urgent attention from the international community and must not be marginalised," he said.

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As China assumes the presidency of the UNSC for February, Wang chaired a session on multilateralism, where he outlined four key principles emphasized by President Xi Jinping for international diplomacy.

These principles include respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations. upholding international law as defined by the United Nations, recognising the security concerns of all countries, supporting peaceful conflict resolution through diplomatic efforts.

China’s stance signals its firm commitment to global stability and its opposition to any actions that threaten Palestinian statehood or undermine international peace efforts.