China's deputy UN Ambassador Zhang Yishan made the remarks at an emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly held to discuss measures to end Israel's construction of the separation barrier in and around the West Bank after the International Court of Justice declared it to be illegal.

Zhang Yishan says to safeguard the authority of international laws in international affairs is the common responsibility of the world community. China hopes that the ruling the International Court of Justice made on Israel's construction of the separation wall could help put forward the peace process in the Middle East.

Zhang Yishan points out that the situation in the Middle East is quite complicated, with war and violence bringing no peace to the region. To construct a separation wall will not bring safety to Israel either. He says history has proved that to settle disputes through political negotiations is the only right way to realize regional order and peace. He calls upon parties concerned to seize the opportunity and return to the right path of peaceful negotiations as soon as possible.

(CRI July 17, 2004)