China stresses UNSC's call for 'comprehensive peace' in Gaza

China, which holds the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for May, on Saturday highlighted the UNSC members' call for urgent and complete restoration of calm in Gaza.

Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, on Saturday reiterated the importance of achieving a comprehensive peace based on the vision of a region where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace with secure and recognized borders.

UNSC members welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire beginning May 21 and recognized the important role Egypt, other regional countries, the UN, the Middle East Quartet and other international partners played in this regard, Zhang said.

Zhang said the council called for full adherence to the ceasefire and mourned the civilian lives lost due to violence.

According to the Chinese ambassador, the UNSC members stressed the immediate need for humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population, particularly in Gaza, and supported the secretary-general's call for the international community to work with the United Nations on developing an integrated and robust package of support for a swift and sustainable reconstruction and recovery.

An Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas came into effect early on Friday.

(Cover: The UN headquarters in New York, U.S. /Xinhua)

(With input from Xinhua)