China calls for action on lasting peace in Middle East

UNITED NATIONS - A senior Chinese diplomat to the UN on Wednesday called on the parties concerned to address the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, a core issue in the Middle East.

Li Baodong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, made the call while addressing a day-long debate of UN Security Council on the situation in the Middle East.

"This year marks the 20th anniversary of the 1993 Oslo accord. We hope it will not be another futile year for the peace talks between Palestine and Israel," he said.

"Israel's settlement activities are the direct reason behind the stagnation of the peace talks. It's also the obstacle to the resumption of the peace talks," Li said, urging Israel to lift its blockade of the Gaza Strip as soon as possible and alleviate the humanitarian situation there.

The Chinese ambassador noted that dialogue and negotiations remain the sole viable solution to the dispute.

"We hope that the parties concerned will resolve their dispute through political negotiations on the basis of relevant UN resolutions, the principle of Land for Peace, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Middle East Peace Roadmap so as to eventually lead to the establishment of an independent state of Palestine and peaceful coexistence between the two states of Palestine and Israel," he said.

Li reaffirm China's continued support for Palestine to pursue the restoration of its legitimate rights "as a nation and its establishment as an independent State with full sovereignty on the basis of the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. "

As for Syria, where the situation is in a critical stage, Li expressed China's consistent view that the crisis can only be settled through a Syrian-led political process.

"We urge parties concerned to achieve ceasefire and cessation of violence on the basis of the Geneva Communique as soon as possible, launch political dialogue and implement the Syria-led political transition process," he said.

"China stands ready to work with international community to play a constructive role for the early realization of comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East," he added.