UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese UN envoy on Wednesday called for improving the Palestinian economic and humanitarian situation in order to promote peace through development.

At a Security Council meeting on the Middle East, China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Wu Haitao noted that the economic and humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Gaza, remains grim.

Therefore, he said, the international community should scale up its input, place greater focus on economic reconstruction, and prioritize livelihood-related projects, so as to make a real difference in the lives of the Palestinian people.

With regard to the UN agency for the Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, Wu said China supports the agency in continuing to play its important role.

He recalled that this year, the UN General Assembly extended UNRWA's mandate by an overwhelming majority, saying this move spoke to the support and recognition of the international community for the agency.

Wu also called on parties concerned to fully implement relevant UN resolutions and lift the blockade of Gaza, a Palestinian enclave between the Mediterranean and Israel.

The envoy said that China stands ready to continue to uphold justice and fairness and play its part as a steadfast builder of Middle East peace, facilitator of Middle East stability and contributor to Middle East development.