China's UN envoy on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, urging the Security Council to work toward resolving the issue.

Speaking at the 15-member body's open debate on the situation in the Middle East, Zhang Yesui, China's permanent representative to the UN, stressed that the humanitarian situation in Gaza was "unsustainable."

After the publication of a report by the fact-finding mission established by the Human Rights Council, "the misery and fate of the Gazans has once again attracted wide attention of the international community," he said.

Although nine months have lapsed since the adoption of Security Council resolution 1860 in early January, he said, the resolution still has not been fully and effectively implemented, and there is no progress in the reconstruction of Gaza.

The Gaza people still find themselves in a plight, and the situation is further worsening, he said. The difficult situation of the Palestinians on the west bank of the Jordan River is also a cause for concern, he said.

"The Chinese government offers its deep sympathy about the plight of the Palestinian people, and expresses grave concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza," Zhang said.

"We hope that the Security Council will accord this matter with great concern, and take active steps to promote a settlement," he added.

(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2009)