CARACAS, July 20 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Sunday that China is seriously concerned about the escalating conflict in Gaza and will continue its efforts to ease tensions betweenPalestine andIsrael.

Xi made the remarks during talks with his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro in his ongoing visit to the Latin American country.

"We are seriously concerned about and saddened by the conflict in Gaza, which have caused heavy casualty of civilians," said Xi, adding that China had urged the two sides to seek an immediate ceasefire.

"We support the mediation efforts by the United Nations, regional countries and theArab League," said Xi, reaffirming that China has always supported the just cause of the Palestinian people.

Stressing that negotiation is the only right way for the peace between Palestine and Israel, Xi said that relevant parties should overcome difficulties and meet each other half way, so as to resume the negotiation at an early date.

Xi arrived here earlier in the day for a state visit to Venezuela, the third leg of his four-nation Latin America tour.