China is seriously concerned and worried about the deteriorating relations between Palestine and Israel, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan said in Beijing Sunday.

"We strongly condemn the suicide bombing attack targeting civilians," Kong said in response to questions concerning the suicide bombing attack in Israel's northern coastal city of Haifa Saturday, in which at least 19 people were killed and 51 others wounded.

China is clearly opposed to any action that will harm the reconciliation process between Palestine and the Israel, he said, adding that China hopes the two sides would stop violence and any other action that would aggravate the situation.

He urged the two sides to return to the correct path of resolving disputes through negotiations as soon as possible.
 
(Xinhua News Agency October 5, 2003)