Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday reiterated China's readiness to join international efforts to continue the search for peace and stability in the Middle East.

In a message to the Conference in Commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People at the UN, Wen offered warm congratulations on the occasion of the convocation of the meeting, on behalf of the Chinese government and people.

Noting the continued improvement of the relations between the Palestinians and Israel whose leaders also met this year, Wen said the withdrawal of Israel from part of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank "marks an important step forward in the right direction for the settlement of the Palestine-Israel question."

China hopes that Palestine and Israel "will seize the opportunity, overcome interferences and cooperate with the international efforts for reconciliation to jointly push forward the peace process," he said.

He stressed the Palestinian question is at the core of the Middle East issue. "Its solution lies in political negotiations on the basis of relevant UN resolutions, the 'land for peace' principle and the founding of an independent state of Palestine in accordance with the Road Map," he said.

The settlement of the Palestinian question calls for political will and courage of the parties concerned and needs lasting support and assistance from the international community, he said, adding that the UN has important responsibilities in this regard.

"China is ready to work tirelessly together with the international community for the early realization of peace and stability in the Middle East region," he said.

The UN set November 29 as the Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

(Xinhua News Agency November 30, 2005)