China voiced serious concerns over the Gaza conflict on Sunday.

"China is seriously concerned with the escalating situation in the Gaza area," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang when answering a journalist's question.

China strongly urged the parties to immediately stop military action and armed conflict to prevent civilian casualties and take measures to ease humanitarian difficulties in Gaza.

Israeli ground troops on Saturday entered the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip for the second phase of an offensive on the militant group after eight days of airstrikes.

(Xinhua News Agency January 4, 2009)