China is ready to work with the international community to promote peace in the Middle East region, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said Thursday in Beijing.
At the request of Shimon Peres, Israel's deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Tang and Peres exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East over the phone.
Hearing Peres' explanation of the ongoing Irael-Palestine conflict, Tang expressed concern over the loss of life, injuries and property damage during the conflict, which he said is threatening regional peace and stability.
Tang noted that China opposes terrorist activities targeting Israeli civilians, as well as Israel's move of invading Palestinian self-ruled territory and assassinating Palestinian political leaders.
Tang said that the Chinese government is shocked at and condemns the assassination of Abu Ali Mustafa, general secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
He stressed that violence can bring about nothing but hatred, and peaceful negotiation is the only correct way to resolve the Middle East issue.
He voiced the hope that Israel and Palestine would cooperate with the international community, and hold high-level meetings on a cease-fire as soon as possible to create necessary conditions for an early peaceful dialogue.
Tang also informed Peres of the visit of Yassar Arafat, president of the Palestinian National Authority, to China last week.
(People's Daily 08/30/2001)
