Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao on Tuesday urged parties involved in the Israel-Palestine clashes to refrain from words and deeds that would endanger the peace process in the Middle East and called for the early resumption of peace talks in the region.
In response to a question at a regular press conference in Beijing, Zhu said that China is deeply concerned about the escalation of the clashes between Israel and Palestine.
He said that the United Nations Security Council recently passed a resolution denouncing Israel's use of force, which resulted in many civilian deaths and injuries. China voted in favor of the resolution.
The Chinese Red Cross Society will provide urgent humanitarian aid to Palestine, the spokesman disclosed.
China's position of denouncing the use of force against civilians is clear, Zhu said, adding that China has always maintained that differences should be resolved through dialogue.
Violent clashes can only deepen mutual hatred, and do not help to solve problems, he said.
"We hope Palestine and Israel will resume the peace talks as soon as possible," he said.
China also hopes that the two sides will adopt a "flexible and practical attitude" based on relevant UN resolutions, so as to seek the final solution to the Palestine problem and return the legal national rights to the Palestine people, Zhu said.
(Xinhua 10/10/2000)
