Gaza not a bargaining chip, China says

Gaza, an integral part of Palestinian territory, belongs to the Palestinian people and is not a bargaining chip in political deals, nor should it be subjected to the law of the jungle, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Thursday.

His remarks came as the international community roundly rejected the United States President Donald Trump's suggestion that Washington could assume control of Gaza and relocate Palestinians.

Noting Gaza has been ravaged by war, left in ruins and widespread suffering, Guo urged the international community, especially major powers, to join hands to offer timely help in providing humanitarian aid and support for the reconstruction of Gaza, rather than exacerbating the situation.

"China firmly supports the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people and has all along believed that 'the Palestinians governing Palestine' is the fundamental principle of post-conflict governance of Gaza," he said, while reiterating China's opposition to the forced displacement of the people in Gaza.

China is willing to work with the international community to promote a just political solution to the Palestinian issue at an early date based on the "two-state solution", namely establishing an independent Palestinian state enjoying full sovereignty on the basis of the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, Guo added.