Palestinian Authority hails China's continued UNRWA funding amid war on Gaza

Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki held talks with a Chinese foreign ministry delegation in Ramallah on Wednesday, discussing vital humanitarian aid and the unfolding crisis in Gaza.

Al-Malki hailed Beijing's continued funding for the UN's Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), amid attempts by Israel to discredit the aid body, which has led a long list of Western countries to cut support.

The US, UK and others suspended funding to UNRWA after Israel accused several of the agency's employees of involvement in Hamas' 7 October attack without providing 'evidence' to the public.

The funding cuts has led to a crisis for the UN refugee agency as a famine grips Gaza with dire shortages of aid.

The Palestinian minister also praised China’s act of solidarity at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in February, when it denounced Israel as a "foreign oppression occupying Palestine". 

"Justice has been long delayed, but it must not be denied," China's Foreign Ministry's legal adviser Ma Xinmin told the court in The Hague on 22 February. 

"Fifty-seven years have passed since Israel began its occupation of the OPT (Occupied Palestinian Territories). The unlawful nature of the occupation and sovereignty over the occupied territories remain unchanged." 

China was among more than 50 states who spoke at the UN’s top court, following a request by the UN General Assembly in 2022 to issue a non-binding opinion on the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation. 

Al-Maliki called for a sustainable ceasefire, the protection of Palestinian civilians, and securing humanitarian aid.  

Chinese foreign ministry official Wang Kejian highlighted China’s commitment in backing international law and a two- state solution- as well as an immediate end in hostilities and forced displacement, Wafa reported.

On 8 March, China addressed its concerns on the ongoing Gaza war, after the United Nations Security Council called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Sudan. 

"While adopting a resolution on a ceasefire during the month of Ramadan in the Sudan, the Security Council must not forget that the people of Gaza are still suffering under bombardment," China's deputy UN ambassador, Dai Bing, told the council. 

 "The international community must push for immediate ceasefire."

More than 31,341 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's war on Gaza since 7 October, the vast majority civilians.