Foreign and Military Affairs

China urges peaceful coexistence of Palestine, Israel

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-11-26 21:56

BEIJING - China on Friday stressed that Palestine and Israel should aim for "peaceful co-existence," saying it would continue to bolster Palestine's efforts to establish an independent state.

China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin elaborated China's stance on the Middle East issue in a meeting with Tayeb Abdul-Rahim, secretary general of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), in Beijing.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, expressed hope for establishing an independent Palestinian state and peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel through negotiations based on relevant United Nations resolutions, the "land for peace" principle and the Arabic Peace Initiative.

Jia's remarks came when the United States was brokering a new round of peace talks two months after the direct Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations broke down.

The US has called on the Israeli government to freeze settlement construction in the West Bank for three months and resume direct peace talks.

China has said it welcomed any international efforts to promote peace negotiations between Palestine and Israel.

"China always supports the Palestinian people to fight for their legitimate rights and unswerving efforts for establishing an independent state," said Jia.

On bilateral relations, Jia appreciated Palestine's firm support on issues concerning China's core interests.

Jia also hoped the two sides could tap potential for cooperation in various fields to lift China-Palestine relationship to a new level.

Tayeb thanked China for its support to Palestine, saying his country would boost cooperation with China and keep pushing forward bilateral ties.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas paid a visit to China late April, and attended the opening ceremony of the Shanghai World Expo.