CHINA has expressed strong support for South Africa’s efforts in holding Israel accountable at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over alleged genocide in Gaza. This praise was highlighted in a joint statement issued on Monday after Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for bilateral discussions in Beijing.
Ramaphosa’s visit to China comes ahead of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), scheduled to take place in Beijing from September 4-6.
In their joint statement, China acknowledged and commended South Africa’s proactive role in rallying international support to address the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The statement also affirmed Beijing’s commitment to collaborating with Pretoria towards achieving a ‘comprehensive, just, and lasting settlement’ of the Palestinian issue.
South Africa initiated legal action against Israel at the ICJ in late 2023, accusing Israel of violating its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention. This move has garnered support from several countries, including Turkey, Spain, Chile, Egypt, and Ireland, all of which have declared their intention to join South Africa in the case against Israel.
China, too, has actively participated in the proceedings at the ICJ. In a verbal statement delivered in February, China’s Foreign Ministry legal adviser, Ma Xinmin, defended the Palestinian right to armed struggle for independence from foreign and colonial rule. He emphasized that the Palestinian people’s use of force in pursuit of self-determination is a legitimate right enshrined in international law.
South Africa expressed its gratitude to China for facilitating reconciliation talks among various Palestinian factions, which led to the signing of the Beijing Declaration, a step towards forming a unified Palestinian national government.
Both nations voiced deep concern over the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its broader repercussions. The joint statement also called for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2728, an immediate ceasefire, and the resumption of efforts towards a political resolution of the Palestinian question.
The strong alignment between China and South Africa on the Gaza conflict underscores their shared commitment to addressing the crisis and promoting peace in the region.
