China voiced its hope Thursday that internal conflicts in Palestine would cease, calling on different Palestinian factions to exercise restraint and jointly safeguard national interests.

 

China is concerned about the situation in the Palestinian region and, as a friend of the Palestinian people, hopes various Palestinian factions can maintain restraint, cease internal conflicts and jointly safeguard national interests, said Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in his talks with his Palestinian counterpart Ziad Abu Amr.

 

According to a written news release provided by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Yang also urged "the concerned parties" to "jointly adopt positive measures" to establish mutual trust and create conditions to resume Palestine-Israel peace talks at an early date.

 

China supports "the Arab peace initiative" and other peace-promoting efforts made by the international community and will play a constructive role in promoting Palestine-Israel peace talks and the overall resolution of the Middle East issue, Yang said.

 

The Arab Peace Initiative, first proposed in 2002, and recently revived, offers Israel full recognition in exchange for withdrawal from all territories it occupied in the war and a just solution for Palestinian refugees.

 

On China-Palestine relations, Yang said that the country will continue its support for Palestinian people to resume their legitimate national rights and promote long-term bilateral friendly cooperation.

 

China is willing to join hands with the Palestinian side to push forward the comprehensive development of bilateral relations, Yang vowed.

 

Abu Amr briefed Yang about the latest development in Palestine and the Palestine-Israel peace process. He also expressed appreciation of China's long-term and firm support to Palestine. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern.

 

Since Monday, Fatah and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip have been fighting each other, leaving more than 50 people dead and about 100 others injured.

 

The infighting is spiraling toward all-out civil war in the Gaza Strip and endangers the current national unity government, which took office on March 17.

 

Abu Amr arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for an official visit from June 13 to 15 at the invitation of Yang.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2007)