On December 9, 2017, Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui held a group meeting with diplomatic envoys of Arab States to China at request, and expressed that the current status of Jerusalem has become an acute international issue. As a holy site of the three religions, Jerusalem faces complex historical, religious and ethnic factors. The status of Jerusalem should be settled through negotiations by all parties concerned, which is not only the broad consensus of the international community, but the basis of the Middle East peace process. Any unilateral action to change the status of Jerusalem will impact the long-term basis for the settlement of the Palestinian issue, intensify the ethnic and religious confrontation in the region as well, and trigger new regional opposition and instability.

Zhang Yesui stressed that China will continue firmly supporting the Palestinian people in the just cause of restoring the legitimate national rights, the "two-state solution", and the establishment of a Palestinian state enjoying full sovereignty and independence on the basis of the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The diplomatic envoys of Arab States highly appreciated and thanked China for its consistent support for the cause of Arab national justice and its fair stance on the Palestinian issue, and expected that China will play a greater role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.