China supports establishment of Palestinian state

The Chinese government has said it supports the establishment of a Palestinian state, and that the status of Jerusalem should be decided through consultations within the United Nations.

"China supports the Middle East peace process, and resolving conflicts in the region, including the status of Jerusalem, based on relevant resolutions of the United Nations. We also support the establishment of an independent, sovereignty Palestinian state, based on the borders decided in 1967, with East Jerusalem as the capital," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang.

US President Donald Trump signs his proclamation about his controversial decision to formally recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and his plan to relocate the US embassy to that city, in the Diplomatic Room of the White House in Washington, December 6, 2017. [Photo: IC]

Tensions have shot up in the Middle East following President Donald Trump's official recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Trump's decision upended seven decades of US foreign policy that has resisted a recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital before the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is resolved.

The Dome of the Rock at the Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound is seen in Jerusalem's Old City. [File Photo: IC]

Many Arab and Islamic countries, including Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, have condemned the US move.

Clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli soldiers have broken out in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Hamas is calling for a Palestinian "popular uprising".

The UN Security Council is expected to hold a discussion later this Friday over the major shift in the US foreign policy.