Developments in Red Sea are outcome of Gaza crisis: Egypt, China in joint statement

CAIRO – 14 January 2024: The Egyptian and Chinese foreign ministers issued a joint statement on the talks they held in Cairo Sunday on the Palestinian Cause and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, including the current crisis in Gaza Strip.

There was congruence on the necessity of an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire as well as halting all acts of violence, killing, and targeting of civilians and civilian establishments. The two ministers equally condemned all violations of international law such as forced displacement of Palestinians, and reiterated the call for the release of captives on both sides.

Egypt and China expressed deep concern about the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza Strip and the daily suffering of its residents, stressing the salience of the swift, safe, and sustainable delivery of aid implementing the UNSC resolution no. 2720 on creating a pertinent mechanism.

Both countries called on the international community and donors to support the Palestinian Authority (PA) to fulfill its duties on entire Palestinian territories.

They also noted that the developments in the Red Sea are an outcome of the crisis in Gaza, warning of the expansion of the conflict's scope. In that framework, the ministers pointed out that Arab and international efforts must be concerted to immediately put an end to the aggression on Gaza Strip, achieve de-escalation on the regional scale, and secure navigation in the Red Sea.

Minister Sameh Shokry and Minister Wang Yi asserted the responsibility of the international community to create a political prospect for peace and co-existence between the Israelis and the Palestinians by working towards the two-state solution. That is by supporting the establishment of the Palestinian state on the borders of the June 4, 1967 having as capital Eastern Jerusalem, and backing the Palestinian state to be full member of the United Nations.  

Egypt and China expressed appreciation for each other's endeavors aimed at accomplishing pacification in the region, containing the repercussions of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza Strip, ending the war, and supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

Minister Shokry and Minister Yi agreed on continuous coordination and communication to devise a permanent, comprehensive, and fair solution to the Palestinian Cause in alignment with international resolutions.