China strongly urges Israel to withdraw unconditionally from Orient House, the Palestinian representative office in east Jerusalem, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said Tuesday.

She stressed that China opposes Israel's occupation of Palestinian office in east Jerusalem, and pointed out that the action goes against agreements between Israel and Palestine, and has escalated the tension in the Middle East.

"We strongly urge Israel to keep its promise and withdraw from the building, to avoid further deterioration of the situation, so as to pave the way for easing tension and resuming negotiations," Zhang said.

(people.com.cn 08/15/2001)