UNITED NATIONS, March 30 (Xinhua) -- China welcomes the efforts made by Israel and Palestine to fight the novel coronavirus, a Chinese envoy said Monday, while expressing support for the launch of the United Nations (UN) Global Humanitarian Response Plan for COVID-19.
"We welcome the efforts of Israel and Palestine in fighting the COVID-19 as demonstrated by the phone call between Israeli president and president of Palestine. We support the two sides to strengthen coordination and enhance mutual trust," Zhang Jun, Chinese ambassador to the UN, said at the UN Security Council's video teleconference on the situation of the Middle East. China is holding the Security Council presidency for March.
"In recent days, we have witnessed some positive development, including the cooperation between Israel and Palestine in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.
Zhang said that China also welcomes the launch of the Global Humanitarian Response Plan for COVID-19 on March 25, "so that the world's poorest and most vulnerable countries including Palestine may benefit from it."
Talking about the international community's common concern about the plans for settlement projects and the inflammatory rhetoric of annexation in the Middle East, Zhang said "all illegal acts and unilateral initiatives aimed at legalizing settlements should be stopped immediately."
"More efforts should be made to promote dialogue, negotiation and political consultation on the basis of the 'two-state solution,' the relevant UN resolutions, the principle of 'Land for Peace' and the Arab Initiative, among others," he said.
"China remains committed to firmly supporting the just cause of the Palestinian people for restoring their legitimate national rights. We would work together with council members to seek a comprehensive, fair, and lasting solution to the question of Palestine at an early date," said the envoy.
