Dragon TV: There has been extensive opposition from the international community to U.S. President Trump’s proposal to “clear out” and take over Gaza. What is China’s comment?Guo Jiakun: Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people. It is an inalienable part of the territory of Palestine, not a bargaining chip for political games, still less a prey of the strong. The war has already left Gaza in devastation and suffering. The international community, major countries in particular, should join hands to make Gaza better, rather than worse, by providing humanitarian assistance and helping with its reconstruction. China firmly supports the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, believes that “the Palestinians governing Palestine” is an important principle that must be upheld in the post-conflict governance of Gaza, and opposes the forced displacement of the people of Gaza. China stands ready to work with the rest of the world for the realization of the two-State solution as the fundamental way forward, and for an early, just political settlement of the Palestinian question, namely, the establishment of an independent State of Palestine that enjoys full sovereignty based on the 1967 border and with east Jerusalem as its capital. AFP: The U.S. said on Wednesday that its government vessels would sail for free through the Panama Canal following heavy pressure from President Donald Trump. But authorities at the waterway have swiftly issued a denial and said that no agreement had been reached. Does China have a comment on this?Guo Jiakun: On the Panama Canal issue, China made clear its position more than once. China, as always, respects Panama’s sovereignty over the Canal and recognizes it as a permanently neutral international waterway. We respect the government of Panama’s management and operation of the Canal. Never ever has China interfered. __________________
