China on Thursday urged all sides to abide by a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to ensure the region's stability and reconstruction.

"The withdrawal of Israeli troops will help ease the situation. China hopes all sides will keep the ceasefire and fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1860 so as to promote stability and reconstruction," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a regular press conference.

Israel declared a unilateral ceasefire on January 17 followed by Hamas a day later. Other Palestinian factions and their armed wings also announced a ceasefire and gave Israel one week to end its military occupation.

The 22-day Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip left around 1,400 dead, 5,500 wounded, 4,000 homes destroyed as well as extensive infrastructure damage.

(Xinhua News Agency January 23, 2009)