China called on all parties concerned on Wednesday to carry out "independent and reliable investigations into all activities that violate the international humanitarian law and human rights conventions, and hold the perpetrators accountable."

The appeal came as Zhang Yesui, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, was taking the floor at the plenary session of the 64th General Assembly, which opened on Wednesday morning to consider the Goldstone report. The Goldstone report accuses both Israel and Palestine of war crimes in the 22-day Gaza conflict.

"We call on all parties concerned to remain engaged in cooperation with relevant UN organs and agencies, carry out independent and reliable investigations into all activities that violate the international humanitarian law and human rights conventions, and hold the perpetrators accountable," Zhang said. "In the meantime, the UN organs and agencies should perform their respective functions, and work in strict accordance with their mandates.

"The Chinese government has followed very closely the humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, especially in Gaza," he added. "The blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip over the years, particularly the military actions at the end of last year and the beginning of this year, has inflicted a serious humanitarian crisis on the Palestinian people, and caused enormous casualties to innocent civilians.

"Our hearts go out for the plight of the Palestinian people," he continued. "On the other hand, we understand the security concerns of Israel, and are equally saddened by the civilian casualties of Israel.

"Such concerns, however, should not be an excuse for excessive use of force that brings damage to innocent civilians. Both the Palestinians and Israelis should enjoy the equal rights to survival and personal security," he asserted.

"We oppose any violence against civilians, and urge the parties concerned to comply with the international humanitarian law and human rights conventions," Zhang urged.

"To truly improve the humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, we hope Israel will heed the call of the international community, open the border crossings into Gaza, ensure unfettered access of humanitarian and reconstruction supplies to Gaza, stop construction of settlements and the separation wall, and stop forced demolishing of Palestinian houses and restrictions on the normal activities and freedom of movement of the Palestinian people," Zhang said.

"We hope the international community will render continued political and moral support to the Palestinian people, and intensify its economic, financial and technical assistance to ease the hardship still confronted by the Palestinian people," he added.

"The Middle East peace process is now at a critical juncture. The humanitarian and human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory still presents a big challenge to the efforts to resume the Middle East peace process.

"The international community should remain focused on the situation and provide real assistance," Zhang suggested. "We have noted the report and recommendations of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission of the Human Rights Council, which contains a host of targeted and operable steps."

The President of the 64th General Assembly session, Ali Treki, has received a letter from the UN Human Rights Council transmitting the report of the mission. The mission was headed by Justice Richard Goldstone, a former prosecutor at the UN war crimes tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.

The four-member investigative team has found evidence that both Israeli forces and Palestinian militants committed serious war crimes and breaches of humanitarian law, which may amount to crimes against humanity, during the conflict in December 2008 and January 2009.

When it took up the report two weeks ago, the Geneva-based Human Rights Council strongly condemned Israeli measures in the occupied Palestinian territory and called on both sides to implement the mission's recommendations.

"Political negotiation is the only way out for the Middle East issue, and the cycle of violence goes nowhere," Zhang remarked.

"The parties concerned should continue to exercise restraint and refrain from any move that may aggravate the tensions," he added. "We hope both Palestine and Israel will stay firm to the conviction of peace talks, and work on the basis of relevant UN resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative and the principle of 'land for peace' to strive for the goal of two states living side by side in peace.

"The Chinese government is always committed to supporting the Middle East peace process," he stressed. "We support and have taken an active part in promoting peace, stability and development in the Middle East, have worked vigorously to provide humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people, and support the positive role played by the Human Rights Council and other relevant UN organs and agencies.

"China will continue to work with the rest of the international community to make unremitting efforts toward the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East," Zhang concluded.