Chinese Premier Urges Israeli Withdrawal

Visiting Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji Tuesday called for Israel's full withdrawal from all occupied Palestinian territories, saying that Israel's military strikes and economic blockade against the Palestinians and the siege on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat could not help end the Palestinian-Israeli violence but would make the situation worse.

Zhu made the appeal during his talks with Turkish Prime MinisterBulent Ecevit at the Prime Ministry in the capital.

The Chinese government has expressed serious concern over the continuing Palestinian-Israeli conflicts and the stalemate of the Middle East peace process, said the premier.

He said that Israel's military strikes and economic blockade against the Palestinians and the siege on Palestinian President Yasser Arafat could not help end the Palestinian-Israeli violence, but would make the already tense situation even worse.

Zhu said that China opposes and condemns Israel's barbarous invasion into the Palestinian territories. He urged Israel to withdraw completely from all occupied Palestinian territories.

China also condemns all terrorist activities against the civilians, Zhu added.

The Chinese government has made active efforts to ease the deteriorating tension between Palestine and Israel and has taken a series of diplomatic moves to call for Israel's early withdrawal from Palestinian areas and guarantee the personal safety of President Arafat, Zhu said.

Having good relations with both Israel and Arab nations, Turkey has a unique role in helping make peace between the Palestinians and Israel, Zhu said, adding that the Chinese government appreciates Turkish efforts on the issue.

China, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, will continue to work together with the international community including Turkey to contribute to easing the Palestinian-Israeli tension and seeking an early solution to the Middle East issue, he added.

On his part, Ecevit said that Turkey advocates the solution to the Middle East issue on the basis of relevant UN resolutions, adding that Turkey has similar views with China on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2002)