China calls for parties to resume peace talks

China urged Israel on Wednesday to be serious in halting all settlement activities immediately and to resume peace talks with Palestine.

Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, made the remarks at a meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in the Middle East.

"The settlement issue is one of the major obstacles in the Middle East peace process," Liu said. "China's position on this issue is consistent and clear. We are opposed to Israel's settlement activities in East Jerusalem and other occupied Palestinian territories."

Liu said that Israel should avoid taking actions that might further aggravate the conflict and create necessary conditions for building confidence between Palestine and Israel.

Dialogue and negotiation are the only way out, Liu said, adding that both parties should adhere to the strategic option for peace talks, resume peace talks as soon as possible, and move toward each other.

Xinhua

(China Daily 10/31/2014 page11)