Beijing: China on Friday backed a UN conference on Palestine scheduled for next week in a bid to shore up support for a two-state solution. Calling Palestine a 'core of Middle East issues,' Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated that the two-state solution is the only practical way out of the Palestinian question.

According to Anadolu Agency, Guo was responding to a question regarding French President Emmanuel Macron's landmark announcement on Thursday that Paris will officially recognize the state of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September. Guo affirmed that China supports the high-level conference on implementing the two-state solution at the United Nations.

Guo further elaborated on China's stance, mentioning that the country will continue to work with the international community to promote a ceasefire in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian crisis, implement the two-state solution, and ultimately achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting resolution of the Palestinian issue.

Macron's announcement has sparked angry reactions from both Israel and its ally, the United States. France is set to become the first member of the G7, a group of the world's largest advanced economies, to recognize a Palestinian state. Currently, 147 out of 193 UN member states officially recognize the state of Palestine.

The announcement also coincides with Israel's offensive on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, which has resulted in nearly 60,000 Palestinian casualties, most of whom are women and children. The military campaign has significantly impacted the enclave, collapsing the health care system and causing severe food shortages.

Guo expressed China's concern over the situation in Gaza, emphasizing the hope that all relevant parties can reach a ceasefire arrangement promptly to de-escalate the situation and address the humanitarian crisis.