Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Abul Gheit discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip over the telephone on Saturday.

During their conversation, Yang said China is deeply worried about the humanitarian crisis caused by the outbreak of the Gaza conflict.

China strongly calls on Israel and concerned Palestinian factions to halt military operations and armed conflict, so as to create conditions for a resolution of the conflict by political means, he said.

Yang added that China has always made and will continue to make efforts to ease the tension and the humanitarian crisis.

China appreciates and supports the great role played by Arab states, particularly Egypt, in promoting efforts to put an end to the internal strife among Palestinian factions and restore unity among them.

China is willing to work with Egypt and other Arab states to facilitate the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1860, so as to put the Palestine-Israel issue back on track for a political solution, the Chinese foreign minister said.

Speaking on the same occasion, Gheit briefed on Egypt's position on the current situation in Gaza and its proposals to ease the tense conflict there.

He said that what is imperative for the time being is to honor UN Security Council Resolution 1860 and achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.

Egypt expresses gratitude for China's unswerving support of the just stance of Arab states and appreciates China's great efforts to promote adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1860, Gheit said.

(Xinhua News Agency January 11, 2009)