Egypt and China reaffirm support for Palestinian state, reject displacement

Egypt and China on Wednesday described the Palestinian issue as central to peace and stability in the Middle East and reiterated their support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, according to a joint statement following talks between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The two leaders discussed regional developments and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing the need for what they described as a just and lasting settlement based on the two-state solution.

The joint statement backed the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state along the 4th June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

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Egypt and China also rejected any plans for the forced displacement of Palestinians from their land, regardless of the stated justification.

The two countries called for the consolidation of the ceasefire in Gaza, unhindered access for humanitarian assistance and the return of the Palestinian Authority to administer the Gaza Strip as soon as possible.

The statement expressed concern over Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, including expanding settlement construction, land seizures and violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

Cairo and Beijing also stressed the importance of maintaining the territorial unity of the Palestinian territories and reaffirmed their support for the mandate and operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

The statement also praised Egypt’s role in efforts to promote regional security and stability.

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