Chair,

The current round of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has persisted for more than 400 days and nights, has created an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and brought immense suffering to the region. This alarming situation in the Middle East is a source of profound concern for the international community. China calls on the international community to work together tirelessly to bring an early end to the hostilities, prevent the spillover of the conflict, implement the "two-state solution", and promote peace and stability in the region. We welcome the Board’s  efforts to implement relevant General Conference resolution, by allowing Palestine to exercise its legitimate rights and participate in the work of the Board.

Chair,

The countries and peoples of the Middle East region should not be subject to the threat of nuclear weapons. Developments over the past year have intensified the concerns of the international community and regional states over the Israeli nuclear issue. This issue should be given greater attention within the frameworks of NPT and IAEA. This week, the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction is being held in New York. China has consistently and actively supported the efforts of regional countries to create such a zone and once again participated in this conference as an observer. China encourages all parties to intensify diplomatic efforts and calls upon the relevant countries in the region and nuclear-weapon states to fulfill their due responsibilities and engage themselves constructively in the process of establishing a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction under the framework of the United Nations.

Thank you, Chair.