China calls for early resumption of Palestinian-Israeli peace talks
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China on Tuesday called for an early resumption of the peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis, and called upon the two sides to refrain from any moves that may undermine mutual trust and the peace process.
The statement came as Zhang Yesui, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, was taking the floor at the UN General Assembly on the question of Palestine and the situation in the Middle East.
"It is the common expectations of the international community to achieve the comprehensive, just and endurable peace in the Middle East," Zhang said. "We always maintain that the political negotiations are the only correct way to solve the Middle East question, and there is no way out to engage in violence."
Against the backdrop of all kinds of challenges encountered in the Middle East peace process, Zhang voiced his hope that the Palestinians and Israelis can stand firm by the peace talks, stick to the road of peace, overcome all sorts of difficulties and reinvigorate the peace talks at an early date.
The Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People on Monday convened a meeting to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which falls on Nov. 29, and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao sent a congratulatory message to this year's UN activities to observe the Day to express China's firm support for the just cause of the Palestinian people, Zhang noted.
"China firmly supports the demands of Palestinian people for the restoration of their legitimate national rights and for the establishment of an independent state," the Chinese premier said in his message.
Just one day later, the General Assembly convened its plenary session on the question of Palestine and the situation in the Middle East, "it is of particular significance, and we hope this meeting can inject new impetus into the resumption of the Middle East peace process," he said.
Meanwhile, Zhang voiced grave concerns at the security and humanitarian situations in the occupied territories, the Gaza Strip in particular. "With the arrival of winter, the humanitarian situation in Gaza may continue to get worse," he said.
Therefore, he called on all parties concerned to fully implement the resolution 1860 adopted by the UN Security Council, and urged Israel to heed the appeals of the international community by fully opening the transit points and allowing uninhibited entry into Gaza of the relief and reconstruction goods, so as to promote the progress of the reconstruction in Gaza as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Zhang also showed his sympathy with the Palestinian people living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and called on Palestinians and Israelis to engage in independent and credible investigations into the alleged serious violations of international humanitarian law by the two sides.
In early November, the 192-nation UN General Assembly voted 114-18 to adopt a resolution to call upon both Israel and Palestine to conduct "independent and credible" investigations of the alleged war crimes during the 22-day Gaza conflict which broke out on Dec.27, 2008.
The General Assembly "requests the secretary-general to report to the General Assembly within a period of three months, on the implementation of the present resolution, with a view to considering further action, if necessary, by the relevant United Nations organs and bodies, including the Security Council," the resolution said.
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