China’s Xi says 2-state solution ‘right direction,’ urges resumption of Palestine-Israel peace talks

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday said a two-state solution is the "right direction" for resolving the longstanding Palestinian issue, urging the resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel.

Xi made the remarks during a meeting with visiting Jordanian King Abdullah II, whose week-long state visit to China concluded Monday after stops in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing.

Xi stressed that the Palestinian question is at the core of the Middle East issue and that efforts to resolve it should be guided by four principles, according to a statement by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning on US social media company X.

"We must uphold political settlement, adhere to the two-State solution as the right direction, work for the resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel, and realize the early establishment of an independent State of Palestine," Xi said.

"We must uphold the principle of Palestinians governing Palestine. Palestine is the homeland of all Palestinians. The principle of Palestinians governing Palestine should be followed in advancing the governance of the West Bank and postwar reconstruction of Gaza," Mao cited Xi as saying.

Calling for upholding humanitarianism, Xi said the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, should truly take up the responsibility to protect civilians, ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance and put an end to humanitarian disasters.

"We must uphold fairness and justice," he added.

"We should act on the basis of international rule of law, aim at addressing both the symptoms and root causes, and take practical actions to realize a comprehensive, just and lasting resolution of the Palestinian question at an early date," Xi said, according to Mao.

On bilateral relations with Jordan, Xi said the two sides should carry forward their longstanding friendship, enhance strategic mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and strengthen multilateral coordination to further advance the China-Jordan strategic partnership and contribute to regional peace, stability and prosperity.

China is Jordan's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching around $6.7 billion.

King Abdullah paid a week-long state visit to China, his ninth overall and first since 2015. He visited the financial hub of Shanghai and the tech hub of Shenzhen before traveling to Beijing, where he met Chinese Premier Li Qiang, top lawmaker Zhao Leji and business representatives.