Attendees of Arab-Chinese meetings affirm importance of two-state solution

AMMAN — Participants of the Arab-China Strategic Political Dialogue meeting and the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum’s (CASCF) Senior Officials Meeting on Tuesday hailed His Majesty King Abdullah’s efforts as custodian of Jerusalem’s Muslim and Christian holy sites. 

The forums stressed the importance of preserving the legal and historic status quo of Al Aqsa Mosque and Al Haram Al Sharif, urging Israel to adhere to this objective, according to a joint communiqué issued on Tuesday. 

It also called on Israel to cease all practices that impede the achievement of a two-state solution and threaten Jerusalem’s holy sites. 

Tuesday marked the conclusion of both meetings, which were held in Abu Dhabi on June 16 and 17.  

The meetings were attended by the director and secretary general of the department of west Asian and north African affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the permanent representatives at the Arab League and Arab-state ambassadors to the UAE, according to the communiqué. 

Participants also underscored the necessity of continued support to UNRWA so that it may continue playing its UN-mandated role. 

Head of the Kingdom’s participating delegation and Jordan’s permanent representative at the Arab League Ali Ayed reiterated the significance of China’s support to the region’s causes, especially that of the Palestinians. 

He also hailed China’s support of UNRWA and the two-state solution with the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.   

Attendees stressed the importance of the meeting in enhancing Arab-Chinese cooperation and coordination on regional developments of mutual political and economic interest, and on issues of security and counterterrorism. 

The Kingdom is scheduled to host the 9th session of the CASCF’s foreign ministers meeting in April 2020, according to the communiqué.