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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, November 30, 2001

Chinese Premier Urges Resumption of Peace Talks Between Israel, Palestine

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji called on the international community Thursday to make more efforts in urging Israel to re-open the peace talks with the Palestinians as soon as possible. "Only through peace talks can a just and lasting solution to the Middle East question be realized," Zhu said in a message to a New York conference marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People scheduled for Friday.


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Zhu expressed deep sympathy for the Palestinian people who suffered great losses in human life and property in the violent clashes between Israel and Palestinians since September of 2000.

Zhu Condemned Israel's Use of Force
The Chinese premier condemned Israel's use of force and economic blockade against Palestinians, adding that "the continued clashes have not only blocked the peace process in the Middle East, but also have negative impact on the stability and development in the world at large."

Noting that the Palestine issue is at the core of the Middle East question, Zhu said that the right way for a lasting peace in the Middle East is a political solution through peaceful talks on the basis of relevant U.N. resolutions and under the "land-for- peace" principle.

China Supports Peace Process
"We hold that only when legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to an independent Palestinian state, are realized, can the peace and security of all countries in the Middle East be guaranteed," said the premier.

In the message, Zhu also pledged China's support for the Middle East peace process and its willingness to cooperate with other countries in this regard.

China Calls for Early End to Clashes in Middle East
China hopes Israel and Palestine, in accordance with United Nations' resolutions and the principle of "land for peace", to hold sincere talks on the basis of mutual confidence and compromise, to try to end the violent clashes in the Middle East as soon as possible.

Chen Haosu, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, made the remarks Thursday in Beijing.

Addressing a reception marking the Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Chen Haosu said the Chinese people are "deeply concerned" about the escalating clashes between Israel and Palestine, which have caused heavy casualties and economic loss while impeding the establishment of the Palestinian state.

Palestinian ambassador to China Expressed Thanks to Chinese People
On behalf of the Palestinian government and people, Palestinian ambassador to China, Moustapha Saphariny, expressed thanks to the Chinese people for their support to the Palestinian people's cause. He also expressed the hope that China will play an even greater role in promoting the Middle East peace process.

Present at the reception were Jiang Zhenghua, vice-chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, vice Foreign Minister Yang Wenchang and deputy head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Ma Wenpu.



The Israeli-Palestinian conflict , or Arab-Israeli conflict, is perhaps one of the more sensitive issues that is discussed. From the historic British dominance in the Middle East, and the US influence and control over the region, the Anglo-American goal is simply to be able to dominate the Middle East due to the vast oil reserves and the West's economic dependence upon it. Prior to the discovery of oil, one of the main reasons for involvement in the Middle East had been religious (Christianity, Judaism and Islam all have roots in the Middle East) and on the natural arable land. During the Cold War, the Soviet excuse may have been used on numerous occasions to justify involvement there, but in modern times, it has always been for oil.

China's Position on the Middle East Problem

China holds that, peace and stability in the Middle East region has positive significance on the maintenance of world peace and development. China actively supports the Middle East Peace Process and strongly believes that the realization of peace in the Middle East is the common aspirations of the people of all the countries in this region and conforms to their principle interests, that the continuous progress in the Middle East Peace Process will safeguard the security of regional countries.

We believe that the UN resolutions relating to the Middle East problem and "land for peace" principle set up in the Madrid peace conference are the basis for peace talks in the Middle East and the faithful implementation of reached resolutions and understandings by the concerned parties is the key in breaking the stalemate in peace talks. China will continue as before its efforts with the international community for the realization of comprehensive and just peace in the Middle East at an early date.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict



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