China Demands Immediate Halt to Israeli Settlement Tender in E1

China has called for an immediate halt to Israel's recent decision to launch a tender for settlement construction in the E1 area of the West Bank, warning that the move seriously undermines Palestinian territorial integrity and the viability of the two-state solution.

Speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Wednesday, China's Permanent Representative to the UN, Fu Cong, said the international community must act swiftly to prevent further harm to the Palestinian people and preserve the political prospects of a two-state solution.

Fu stressed that any attempt to de facto annex the West Bank is unacceptable, and that all settlement activity violates international law and Security Council resolutions. He urged Israel to stop such actions immediately.

The Chinese envoy also expressed deep concern over what he described as the continued emergence of voices rejecting the two-state solution. He noted that the Palestinian issue has been on the UN agenda for more than 70 years and should have been resolved long ago.

Fu further called for full implementation of the ceasefire in Gaza, an end to violence and annexation attempts, and a reduction of tensions in the West Bank. He argued that the fundamental reason lasting peace in Gaza has not been achieved is the lack of political will, while the biggest obstacle is the dangerous attempt to deliberately prolong the conflict.

He emphasized that the Palestinian issue remains at the core of the Middle East question and must not be marginalized or instrumentalized, adding that the Palestinian people must not become victims of political maneuvering.