China Calls for End to Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

China November 29 called for an end to the current conflict between Palestinians and Israelis, and voiced support for all positive efforts by the international community to promote the Middle East peace process.

The statement was contained in the speech by Wang Yingfan, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, at a public General Assembly meeting on the Palestinian question.

"For the time being, it is of the utmost importance to stop the violence between Palestine and Israel," Wang said. "We support all positive efforts made by countries concerned and (UN) Secretary- General Kofi Annan."

"The Chinese government will continue its contribution to cessation of the violence in and the peace process of the Middle East," he said.

"Facts have fully shown that the question of Palestine is at the core of the Middle East issue," he said. "Without a thorough solution of the Palestinian question, there is no way to root out violence in the Middle East."

"Violence will only serve to deepen mutual hatred, while negotiation and dialogue will bring hope and peace," he said.

"To achieve the political solution of the Palestinian question through negotiation and dialogue will not only conform to the fundamental interests of the people of all countries in the Middle East, but also conduce to peace and stability in the region and in the whole world," he said.

"We believe, the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish the Palestinian statehood, should be restored and the international community has the responsibility to render necessary help to them in this regard, " he said.

China supports the Middle East peace process and has always maintained that the Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 on the Middle East issue as well as the principle of "land for peace" constitute the basis for Middle East peace process, he said.

"Both the Arab side and the Israeli side should try to solve their differences through earnest and practical negotiations and move forward the peace process on the basis of the implementation of existing agreements between them," he said.

"We firmly support the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights and oppose Israel's easy resort to force or threat of use of force and its practice of bullying the weaker and smaller," he said.






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