China Reiterates Call for Restraint by IsraelChina reiterated its call Wednesday for "restraint of the ultimate limit from both Israel and Palestine, and especially Israel," and an immediate halt to the armed violence against civilians.As these efforts are imperative for preventing further deterioration of the Middle East situation, the two sides should take effective measures for the resumption of negotiations, said Zhu Bangzao, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman. Zhu made the remarks when responding to a question on the United Nations Security Council meeting discussing the Middle East conflicts on August 20 and 21. China regrets the failure of the meeting to make any positive progress so far, Zhu said. China has been consistent in supporting the UN Security Council 's active role in helping appeasing the armed conflicts between Israel and Palestine and maintaining regional peace and security in the Middle East, he said. China supports the dispatching of international peace observers to the areas of Israel-Palestine conflicts and urges both sides to cooperate with the mediation efforts of the international community for a cease-fire as soon as possible, Zhu said. The cease-fire "is not only the wish of the UN members, but also the common interest of both related sides," he said. Peace negotiation is the only correct available option to achieve a solution for the dispute, and a de facto cease-fire is the precondition for easing the tension in the Middle East. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |