In his speech during the China-Arab States Summit held last year in Saudi Arabia, Chinese President Xi Jinping considered that the way to peace and stability in the Middle East passes through Palestine, and the historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people cannot continue indefinitely.

President Xi added that 'there can be no compromise on the national and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people' and affirmed that China supports Palestine's full membership in the United Nations as an independent state of its own.

For years, Beijing has sought to be a mediator between Palestine and "Israel", holding several talks between both sides to find a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause. Last June, it hosted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit.

Read more: How the war on Gaza is tilting global power toward Russia, China: WSJ

The Palestinian Embassy in China plays a significant role in promoting the Palestinian cause among the Chinese people, through honorary commemorations, such as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. This year, three Chinese academics were awarded the National Commendation for Diplomacy in recognition of their efforts in advocating for Palestinian rights and spreading awareness of the Palestinian cause.

The following is a translation of the interview conducted by Al Mayadeen with the Palestinian ambassador to China, Fariz Mehdawi, on the war on Gaza, which was discussed with a focal lens on Chinese solidarity with Palestine. 

What is China's official stance on the Palestinian cause and the Israeli aggression on Gaza?

China's official position remains steadfast and consistent in its principled support for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the borders of June 4, 1967. This position was recently reiterated during the visit of the Arab-Islamic ministerial delegation, and official meetings held by the delegation with the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice President Han Jing.

Read more: 'Israel' unnamed on Chinese online maps: WSJ

Furthermore, the government recently issued a position paper regarding the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli "conflict", affirming:

Related News

Norway wealth fund drops Caterpillar and five Israeli banks

West Bank sees escalating attacks by IOF, settlers

1. The necessity for an immediate ceasefire, the cessation of fighting, ensuring the security and flow of humanitarian corridors, and the implementation of the "two-state solution" as a fundamental outcome. It also emphasizes the need for international agreements to drive "peace" negotiations to find a comprehensive, just, and permanent solution to the Palestinian issue.

2. The cessation of all violent attacks against civilians, all actions contrary to international humanitarian law, rejection of forced displacement of Palestinian civilians, and the release of all civilian prisoners as soon as possible.

3. Calling on the Security Council to convene a "comprehensive and credible" international peace conference under the sponsorship and organization of the United Nations. This conference should establish a specific timeline and a roadmap for the implementation of the "two-state solution."

4. Respecting the will and independent choice of the Palestinian people regarding the future of the Gaza Strip in any arrangement.

Did the Chinese popular, social position leave an impression on you?

One can observe, by monitoring semi-official Chinese media, clear and significant interactions, sympathy, and solidarity from the Chinese people with the Palestinian cause have been observed. There is considerable interest and growing engagement, especially among the youth, who express, on Chinese social media platforms, their support for the official Chinese political stance in the Security Council.

The embassy receives numerous communications, letters, and messages of solidarity and support every day from individuals and Chinese social organizations.

What is your response to the Israeli war crimes being committed in Gaza?

The relentless Israeli aggression against Palestinians across the West Bank, Gaza, and Al-Quds dates back to long before October 7. There has been an increased deployment by the Israeli occupation forces and settler militias, especially under the recently instated extremist right-wing Israeli government, which includes ministers with known criminal terrorist backgrounds, led by a fascist Prime Minister, who does not deny his intention to annex all Palestinian territories and displace Palestinians.

He went on to explain that this reflects the nature of the brutal Israeli aggression in terms of its scale, and in terms of killing, destruction, ethnic cleansing, genocide, and forcibly expelling Palestinians. In doing so, the Israeli occupation attempts to accomplish and complete what it started with massacres and displacement during the Nakba of 1948. This strategy of escaping forward comes in the context of the political solution's impasse, and the impending and eventual establishment of an independent Palestinian state recognized by the majority of the world's countries.

Is there a possibility of a permanent ceasefire? How does that reflect on Gaza's future?

Despite all the unprecedented destruction and Palestinian suffering, the resilience of the Palestinian people across all political and social components, both internally and externally, leadership and popular base alike, will impose the establishment of an independent Palestinian state at the end of this bloody confrontation.

The international community is more convinced of this reality than ever before, as evidenced by the political and popular Arab and Islamic solidarity and alignment, as well as the support from the majority of peoples and countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This witnessed social, political, and diplomatic shift in Europe leaves the United States and Britain isolated.

Meanwhile, marches and demonstrations supporting the Palestinian cause have become a routine activity in the streets of cities and capitals worldwide, including Australia, Canada, and the United States, reminiscent of what was witnessed at the end of the apartheid in South Africa.

He continued to state that the ongoing confrontation in the Gaza Strip reveals the weakness of the Israeli war machine, no matter how "powerful" and oppressive it may be, in achieving its political objectives. "Previous experiences in Algeria, Vietnam, and Afghanistan have taught us this" he recounted. Therefore, the Palestinian people have no choice but to continue the path of resilience they had chosen more than a century ago and believe in the inevitability of achieving liberation and national independence.