China calls for resumption of Palestinian-Israeli peace talks

shaheennews

China urged the international community to promote the resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel, Chinese envoy at the United Nations (UN) said late Tuesday, calling on all parties to exercise restraint.

China’s envoy, Ma Zhaoxu, made his remarks at the UN Security Council’s meeting, stressing that the Palestinian issue of is the root cause of the conflicts in the region, and reaching a solution is crucial for achieving peace and development in the Middle East.

However, the resumption of dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis showed no progress, while conflict escalation is a risk that cannot be ignored, he said.

The Security Council and international community should focus on the long term and strive for a political solution, the Chinese official stressed.

He also called on all parties to lift the blockade on Gaza as soon as possible, saying his country is concerned over Israel’s decision to close the schools run by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem.

The international community should increase funding for UNRWA schools and help Palestine improve its economy.

The two-state solution is the fundamental way to resolve the Palestine-Israel conflict, the envoy highlighted, stressing the final status of Jerusalem is a complex and sensitive issue that concerns the basis for the future of the two-state solution.

//Petra//WH