China's special Middle East envoy said on Friday that Palestine and Israel should use the current positive climate to resume peace talks and work to rebuild mutual trust.

Sun Bigan issued his call in Beijing, two days after he returned from a 10-day trip to the region, where he met with several leaders.

Sun said he believes conditions are ripe for peace talks because of the newly formed Palestinian unity government and a decision by participants at the 19th Arab League Summit in Riyadh to reactivate the Middle East Peace Plan.

Sun said the plan, proposed in 2002 by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, showed the Arab world's determination to negotiate with Israel. "It is a strategic choice for the Arab world," he said, adding that it was another good reason to resume talks now.

Sun started the tour in Saudi Arabia and held talks with King Abdullah and Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal. He spoke highly of the country's efforts in playing a pragmatic role in the peace process.

He continued his visit in Israel and Palestine where he met with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Vice-Prime Minister Shimon Peres among others.

He said he urged Palestine to take more steps to work out prisoner swaps with Israel that would include the release of kidnapped soldiers, a major sticking point for Israel.

"We also called on Israel and other parties concerned to take further steps to ease the humanitarian crisis that is quite severely confronting the Palestinian people," he added.

Sun emphasized that China is playing an active role in the Middle East issue. He said China has no self-interest in the region and that peace in the region would benefit everyone, including China.

(China Daily April 21, 2007)