On Thursday, China expressed opposition to “any attempt at annexation” of Palestinian territory after Israel approved measures on Sunday that significantly enhance its control over the occupied West Bank.
“China has always opposed the construction of new settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and any attempts at annexation or usurpation of Palestinian land that undermine the foundations of the two-state solution,” stated Lin Jian, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a press conference.
The measures approved by Israel’s security cabinet over the weekend facilitate land purchases by settlers in the West Bank, which has been occupied by Israel since 1967, and allow Israeli authorities to manage certain religious sites, even when located in areas under the control of the Palestinian Authority.
These measures have drawn international criticism, as they are seen as a step toward a possible annexation of the West Bank. “The West Bank is an inalienable part of Palestinian territory,” Lin Jian reiterated. China reaffirms its commitment to the political solution of a two-state framework, with Israel and Palestine coexisting peacefully and securely.
