China voices support for Palestine as UN adopts new resolutions

China's envoy to the United Nations on Friday urged the international community to address what he called as "historical injustices" faced by the Palestinian people, reaffirming its support for the Palestinian people.

Speaking before the General Assembly vote, China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Sun Lei said China "firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights".

The statement came after Beijing announced plans to provide $100 million of assistance to Palestine to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support its recovery and reconstruction. The aid package was first announced by President Xi Jinping on Thursday during his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

"This demonstrates China's steadfast support for the Palestinian people and its commitment to upholding fairness and justice," said Sun.

The aid will be delivered in multiple batches of humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip via the UN, Egypt, Jordan and other channels, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.

China and France have also issued joint statements on a number of issues, including the situations in Palestine and Ukraine.

Sun emphasized that the issue of Palestine lies at the core of the Middle East conflict.

"It concerns international fairness and justice and has a direct bearing on regional stability," he said.

He added that China has consistently called for a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, urgent improvement of the humanitarian situation, and post-conflict governance and reconstruction in the Strip based on the principle that "the Palestinians govern Palestine".

He also called for a commitment to the two-state solution and an early political settlement of the Palestinian question.

"The international community should confront the root causes of the Palestinian issue and take robust actions to correct the historical injustices suffered by the Palestinian people," Sun said.

He called on all UN member states to vote in favor of the draft resolutions. "China will continue to work with the international community to strive tirelessly for a comprehensive, just and lasting resolution of the Palestinian question," he added.

The vote came after the General Assembly on Friday adopted five resolutions related to Palestine, including humanitarian assistance for refugees, the renewal of the UN Relief and Works Agency's mandate, refugee property rights, monitoring of Israeli practices in the occupied territories and the legality of settlement activities.

The resolutions passed with large majorities, with several receiving more than 150 votes in favor.

The General Assembly on Tuesday also adopted two resolutions calling on Israel to withdraw from the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967 as well as the Syrian Golan Heights.