Beijing: Jordan and China emphasized on Monday the need to consolidate the ceasefire in Gaza and to ensure the immediate, adequate, and unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid, according to Jordan News Agency (Petra). This announcement followed discussions between Jordanian King Abdullah II and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where both leaders issued a joint statement reflecting their mutual concerns and objectives regarding the ongoing situation in Gaza.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the joint statement highlighted the necessity for any arrangements concerning Gaza to allow Palestinians to govern themselves and manage their own affairs. This includes preserving the unity of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and facilitating the Palestinian National Authority's resumption of its responsibilities in the region. The two leaders also reiterated the importance of supporting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in fulfilling its UN mandate.
Both Jordan and China expressed their deep concern over Israel's actions in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, specifically pointing to the escalation of violence by Israeli colonists, land confiscation, and the expansion of Israeli colonies. Additionally, they condemned attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. They declared all unlawful measures aimed at annexing the occupied West Bank or any part thereof as null and void, citing breaches of international law and relevant UN resolutions.
The leaders affirmed their belief that a two-state solution is the only path to achieving a just and lasting peace. They emphasized the need for practical steps, adhering to a clear timetable, to establish an independent, sovereign Palestinian state based on the 4 June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This solution should enable Palestine to coexist in peace and security alongside Israel, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.
They also advocated for supporting Palestine's accession to full membership in the United Nations. The Jordanian side expressed gratitude for China's steadfast support of Palestinian rights and its efforts to advance the peace process. In return, China expressed its backing for the historic role of the Hashemite Custodianship, overseen by King Abdullah II, in maintaining the status quo of holy sites in Jerusalem.