Chinese envoy calls on Palestine, Israel to resume peace talks as soon as possible

Palestine and Israel should resume peace talks as soon as possible, and China is open to all the initiatives that are conducive to the dialogue resumption, said a Chinese envoy here on Thursday.

Wang Min, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the remarks at a Security Council open debate on the Middle East.

"There is no winner in conflict," said Wang, "Force will only exacerbate the hatred and hostility. All questions should be resolved through negotiation."

Noting that the recent situation between Palestine and Israel remains tense, Wang said the two sides should be committed to taking the strategic option of peace talks, ferment their confidence in peace and demonstrate their determination for peace.

"China always believes that to achieve an independent statehood for Palestine and peaceful to realize coexistence between Palestine and Israel are the only viable way out to address the question between Palestine and Israel," said Wang.

Wang also said that China hopes the Israeli government will take credible measures to create the conditions for peace talks, including steps to halt the settlement construction, release the detained Palestinians and completely lift blockades against Gaza.

"At the same time the legitimate security concerns of Israel should also be seriously addressed," he added.

While mentioning to resolve the Palestinian and Israeli question also requires joint efforts of the international community, Wang said China hopes those efforts will be made to fully tap the potential of the existing mechanisms in the Middle East peace process.

"We are ready to work with other parties of the international community to make more contributions to achieve peace between Palestine and Israel, and stability in the region," he added. Endi