New York, United States - December 18, 2024 China on Wednesday called for all necessary actions to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and emphasized that the two-state solution is the only viable way to solve the Palestinian Question. The UN Security Council held a meeting on the situation of Palestine-Israel conflict at the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday. Speaking at the meeting, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Geng Shuang said that more than two million people in Gaza are still suffering from war, hunger, diseases and severe cold, and the international community is expected to bring them the dawn of peace at an early date. The UN Security Council has made tremendous efforts to promote a ceasefire and stop the violence and alleviate the disaster. However, due to a permanent member's repeated obstruction, the Security Council's response to the Palestine-Israel issue has caused deep disappointment to the international community, Geng stated. China urges Israel to immediately stop its military operations in Gaza, Geng stated at the meeting, adding that Israel should fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law, lift the blockade of Gaza and restrictions on humanitarian access, stop suppressing humanitarian agencies such as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for the Near East, and provide security guarantees for humanitarian operations throughout Gaza. Geng stressed that case-by-case crisis management model cannot prevent a vicious cycle of conflict and turmoil. Only a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue can bring true and lasting peace between Palestine and Israel and open a new chapter of peace and stability in the Middle East, he said. China is willing to continue to work with the international community to make unremitting efforts to reach the ceasefire, restore regional peace, and achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue as early as possible, Geng stated. Shotlist: UN Headquarters, New York City - Dec 18, 2024: 1. United Nations (UN) Security Council meeting in progress; 2. Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to UN, speaking; 3. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to UN: "We noted that some countries claimed that the ceasefire negotiations have been about to be reached. However, the strikes against Gaza have not stopped, and innocent residents in Gaza are still being killed. China supports the UN Security Council to use all options in the toolbox and take all necessary actions to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, and to urge countries concerned to stop blocking the Security Council from taking actions."; FILE: UN Headquarters, New York City - Date Unknown 4. UN headquarters; 5. UN flag; 6. UN emblem; UN Headquarters, New York City - Dec 18, 2024 7. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to UN: "History has fully proved that long-term occupation will only hinder the Palestinian people from making their own national determinations. Allowing Israel to have an exclusive veto over the establishment of a Palestinian state will only breed more hatred and confrontation and sow the seeds of unrest in the Middle East. Israel's occupation violates the resolutions of the UN Security Council and the General Assembly, and violates the international law. It's Israel's international obligation that must be fulfilled to end its illegal behavior."; Gaza Strip - Dec 12, 2024 8. Various of makeshift tent set up on rubble; 9. Various of children playing; Gaza Strip - Dec 14, 2024 10. Various of people searching for survivors under rubble of flattened building; 11. Various of ambulance destroyed by airstrike; 12. Various of destroyed UN vehicles. [Restriction - For news purpose only/No archive/Not for other production use, No access Chinese mainland]