JEDDAH, 2 April — Chinese Deputy Premier Wu Yi pledged yesterday that her country, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, would make serious efforts to help the Palestinians achieve their legitimate rights.
Addressing a press conference here after meeting with Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, she held Israel responsible for hampering peace in the Middle East.
“President Yasser Arafat is the only legitimate representative of his country and his personal freedom and security must be protected,” said Wu, the most powerful woman in the Chinese government.
Speaking on Beijing’s move to end the current standoff in the Middle East, the Chinese state councilor urged Israel to immediately agree on a cease-fire and return to the negotiation table.
“Being a permanent member of the Security Council we’ll exert all possible efforts in association with other members of the international community to find a solution to the Middle East conflict as quickly as possible,” she said.
Wu emphasized that Israel must withdraw from all occupied Arab territories to achieve a final solution to the problem. “The legitimate rights of the Palestinians must be restored,” she insisted.
“We in China, as friends of Arab countries, support all just struggles of Arab people to regain their sovereignty, protect the integrity of their land and restore their legitimate national rights,” she added.
