UN welcomes China's Mideast peace efforts

The United Nations on Tuesday welcomed China's efforts in support of Middle East peace process.

"We welcome China's efforts in support of Middle East peace and the resumption of meaningful Israeli-Palestinian negotiations," said a note to correspondents released by the spokesperson of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The world body also expressed support for the broad engagement of key regional and international partners in this regard, saying that concerted international action is essential to helping achieve the two-state solution.

Both Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited China earlier this month.

During their visits, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a four-point proposal for the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Abbas and Netanyahu did not hold direct talks in Beijing but China's hosting of them highlighted the country's active involvement in Middle East affairs and its role as a responsible power.