China on Tuesday called on relevant parties in Myanmar to exercise restraint and properly handle the current problems to avoid complication and escalation of the situation.

"As a neighbor, China is greatly concerned about the situation in Myanmar," said Li Baodong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva.

"We hope Myanmar could commit itself to improving the living conditions of people, safeguarding the rapprochement among different ethnic groups so to resume stability as soon as possible," Li told a special session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Li said China supports UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari's ongoing mediation efforts in Myanmar and welcomes the Myanmar government's cooperation with him.

"We hope Gambari's visit will help the international community understand the Myanmar situation objectively."

Li also called on the 47-state Human Rights Council to constructively promote the alleviation of the Myanmar situation and the rapprochement of different ethnic groups in the country.

The Human Rights Council's special session on Myanmar was requested by the European Union and supported by mainly Western countries.
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(Xinhua News Agency October 3, 2007)