China supports measures to break Middle East deadlock

China welcomes and supports all measures that help break the deadlock of Palestinian- Israeli negotiations and restart their dialogue, Chinese UN ambassador Li Baodong said here Monday.

Li made the statement while addressing a UN Security Council open debate on Middle East.

"The Palestinian-Israeli question is the core issue of the Middle East peace process, which needs continued attention and assistance from the international community," Li said.

"China always maintains that the parties concerned should resolve their disputes through political negotiations under the relevant UN resolutions, the principle of 'land for peace', the Arab Peace Initiative and the Middle East Roadmap for Peace with the goal of ultimately establishing an independent Palestinian state and two states, Palestine and Israel, living side by side in peace," he said.

China welcomes the efforts made recently by Palestine and Israel to resume the peace negotiation, and hopes for positive progress to be achieved in this regard as soon as possible, said Li, adding that China hopes the Quartet on the Middle East will continue to promote Palestinian-Israeli dialogue and play a bigger role in supporting the settlement of the UN Security Council on Middle East problem.

Li noted that the Israeli settlement is a major obstacle for the resumption of Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiation.

"China is always against Israeli establishment of Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory," he said. "We urge Israel to cease the settlement construction immediately, work actively in collaboration with the efforts of the international community to promote peace, and create conditions for the resumption of Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiation."

He also urged Israel to quickly and completely lift its blockade against the Gaza Strip so that the people of the Gaza will regain a normal life, dignity and development space.

On the Syria-Israel and the Lebanon-Israel issues, China firmly supports the just cause of Syria and Lebanon to maintain sovereignty and territorial integrity, and recover their occupied territories. China supports the strategic choice made by Arab states in their pursuit of a comprehensive and lasting peace in the region, said Li.

On the Syrian crisis, the Chinese ambassador said it can only be settled in a fair, peaceful and proper manner through an inclusive political process led by Syrians on the basis of respect for the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria, and respect for the choice and will of Syrian people.

He called on all parties of Syria and the international community to support and coordinate with the work of the Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan and that of the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria.