On December 22, 2017, Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue Gong Xiaosheng held a briefing for media on relevant situation of Palestinian-Israeli Peace Symposium.
Gong Xiaosheng said that Palestinian-Israeli Peace Symposium was held in Beijing from December 21 to 22. Eight peace-loving people respectively from Israel and Palestine carried out adequate and in-depth discussions on three topics, namely, "the measures that should be taken by leaders of both sides, the efforts that can be made by the two civil societies and the role can be played by the international community", under the principle of seeking common ground while reserving differences and jointly seeking peace. Foreign Minister Wang Yi met respectively with representatives of President of Palestine and attendees of both sides.
Going Xiaosheng said that the Palestine-Israel issue is the root cause issue in the Middle East, influencing the peace and stability in the Middle East and even the whole world. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a responsible major country, China is a firm supporter and active promoter of Palestine-Israel peace. During the visit of President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine to China this July, President Xi Jinping put forward a four-point proposal on promoting the settlement of the Palestinian issue, which is to firmly advance the political settlement on the basis of the "two-state solution", uphold a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept, further coordinate and strengthen the concerted efforts for peace of the international community, as well as comprehensively implement measures and promote peace with development. President Xi Jinping announced that China would hold Palestinian-Israeli Peace Symposium within this year. China's holding of this Symposium is to implement the proposals and initiatives of President Xi Jinping and to play an active and constructive role in promoting the settlement of the Palestine-Israel issue.
Gong Xiaosheng said that Palestinian and Israeli participants expressed their gratitude and appreciation to China for holding the Symposium and building a platform for communication and exchanges between peace-loving people from Palestine and Israel. During the Symposium, the peace-loving people from Palestine and Israel reached a consensus document named Promoting the Settlement of Palestine-Israel Conflict with the Two-State Solution as Its Basis and the main content includes:
First, both sides agree that the "two-state solution" is the only feasible vision. Israeli and Palestinian leaders should officially make promises again on the "two-state solution". Both sides should avoid taking unilateral actions that will do harm to the realization of the "two-state solution". Both sides should take measures to make positive contributions to realizing the common vision of the two countries, including freezing the expansion of Jewish settlements; maintaining the current situation in Jerusalem, especially in various holy sites; taking security measures to prevent disruptive elements from hindering the development of Palestine-Israel relations and making joint efforts to settle humanitarian dilemma in the Gaza Strip.
Second, the two sides should enhance the strength of moderate forces of both sides to amplify their voices. Israeli and Palestinian civil societies could prove to the peoples and leaders that the two sides could turn into the peaceful partners and reach political agreement through cooperation.
Third, the two sides believe that the international community should support the restarting of the peace process; support the efforts made by the two civil societies; support the establishment of the Palestinian State on the basis of the 1967 borders and the mutually agreed and equal land swap; make a series of economic and political incentive measures; and back up the initiation of the peace process based on the Arab Peace Initiative.
Fourth, the two sides hold that China, as a major country, could play an important role in all aspects as mentioned above and create conditions for promoting stronger and effective international endeavors in advancing peace talks.
Gong Xiaosheng emphasized that from now on, China will continue paying attention to the Palestine-Israel situation, actively participate in the international community's endeavors in advancing peace talks and negotiations, support and push forward the peace process in the Middle East and play an active role in advancing the comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestine-Israel issue at an early date.