China Opposed to Force Abuse against Palestinians: Jiang

President Jiang Meets Palestinian Guest

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Chinese President Jiang Zemin told a visiting Palestinian delegation Friday that China is opposed to any act of abuse of armed forces that jeopardizes the life and property of Palestinian civilians.

"China is very concerned over the bloodshed conflicts between Israel and Palestine," Jiang said when meeting with Salem Zanoun, chairman of the Palestine National Council, at Zhongnanhai, site of the central government.

China appreciates the Palestinian efforts in adhering to peace negotiations and winning support and sympathy from the international community, and is a sincere friend of the Palestinian people, China has always resolutely supported them in their righteous cause to restore legitimate national rights, Jiang said.

China, as always, maintains that the related resolutions of the United Nations (UN) and the principle of "land for peace" are the basis for fair and reasonable solution of the Middle East issue, said the Chinese President.

"The Palestinian issue is the core of the Middle East issue, and only after the legitimate national rights of Palestinian people have been restored, could the Middle East issue be solved," Jiang said, pointing out that all those issues need to be addressed through "earnest and practical negotiations" among all related sides, with help and support from the international community.

China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has always been taking the righteous side, and will as always make its own contributions to the promotion of the settlement of the Middle East issue, including the Palestine issue, at an earlier date, Jiang pledged.

Jiang recalled his happy moments during his visit to Palestine in April last year and expressed satisfaction over the recent developments of Sino-Palestinian relations. He asked Zanoun to reciprocate his cordial personal greetings to President Yasser Arafat.

Zanoun briefed the Chinese President on the latest developments of the Middle East situation on behalf of the Arab Inter- Parliamentary Union and the Palestine National Council, especially on the grave condition Palestine faces.

He expressed gratitude to Jiang for China's unswerving support to the Palestinian people's righteous cause, noting that the Palestinian people were greatly encouraged by Jiang's visit last year.

China's righteous stance in international and regional affairs has been highly appreciated by the Arab world, including the Palestinian people, Zanoun said, adding that Palestine expects China to play a more important role in halting the current bloodshed between Israel and Palestine and in an all-round, fair and reasonable manner to solve the Middle East issue at an earlier date.

Buhe, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, attended the meeting.