KEY POINTS
- China strongly opposes Trump’s plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza.
- Beijing asserts Gaza is an integral part of Palestinian territory, rejecting its use as a political bargaining chip.
- China reaffirms support for Palestinian sovereignty and advocates for a two-state solution for peace.
- Arab League Secretary-General warns Trump’s plan could escalate conflict in the region.
BEIJING: China on Wednesday strongly opposed US President Donald Trump’s push to transfer Palestinians out of Gaza and have the US take control of the region, asserting that “Gaza belongs to the Palestinians” and should not be treated as a political bargaining chip.
During a regular press briefing, China’s foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun expressed Beijing’s strong disapproval of Trump’s controversial plan. “Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people and is an integral part of Palestinian territory, not a bargaining chip for political games,” Guo said. “We oppose the forced displacement of the people of Gaza.”
Trump’s proposal to have the US take control of Gaza and permanently displace Palestinians, which he had suggested could involve resettlement to countries like Egypt and Jordan, has sparked widespread condemnation.
Palestinian and Arab leaders have rejected the notion, and global reactions have been critical. The US president’s comments came after Israel’s ongoing military assault in Gaza, which, in response to the October 2023 Hamas attacks, has killed over 48,000 Palestinians.
“China firmly supports the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people,” Guo Jiakun continued, underlining China’s long-standing position in supporting Palestinian sovereignty.
“We believe that Palestinians governing Palestine is an important principle that must be upheld in the post-conflict governance of Gaza.” Guo also reaffirmed China’s commitment to working with the international community to promote a two-state solution and facilitate an early and just resolution of the Palestinian issue.
Meanwhile, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit strongly condemned Trump’s plan, labelling any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank as “unacceptable.”
Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Aboul Gheit warned that such actions would lead to a dangerous escalation in the Middle East and further destabilise the region.
“It’s unacceptable for the Arab world, which has fought this idea for 100 years,” he said. He warned that if Trump proceeded with the plan, it would trigger a new cycle of conflict with devastating consequences for peace and stability.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the situation in Gaza as “one of the worst genocides in history.” Reflecting on the humanitarian crisis, he added, “50,000 Palestinians have been martyred, and now that a ceasefire has been achieved, there is hope for peace and rehabilitation.”
The international community has also weighed in on the matter, with more than 30 independent UN human rights experts condemning Trump’s proposal.
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In a joint statement, they labelled the idea “manifestly illegal,” emphasising that forcibly deporting Palestinians and annexing Gaza would violate international law and the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. The experts also warned that the proposal could have catastrophic consequences for peace and human rights globally.
French President Emmanuel Macron, in an interview with CNN, called for “respect” for Palestinians, rejecting Trump’s plans as a “real estate operation” rather than a political solution.
Macron also criticised the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, reiterating his disagreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approach to the conflict.
North Korea’s state media condemned the proposal, calling it “ludicrous” and accusing Washington of “extortion.” The commentary published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) described the plan as a blow to the hopes of Palestinians for safety and peace.
