China envoy meets Abbas over peace talks
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Visiting Chinese Middle East envoy Wu Sike on Thursday met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, discussing the bilateral relations and the current status of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
Referring to the Palestinian issue as the core of the Middle East issue, Wu said that China firmly supports the Palestinian people's efforts for their national rights.
China urges Israel and the Palestinians, based on the relative U.N. resolutions, the principle of "Land for Peace," the Arab Peace Initiative and the "Road Map for Peace" plan, to solve their disputes through negotiations, and to establish a Palestinian state with independent and full sovereignty, thus realizing the peaceful coexistence of the two sides, the envoy added.
Wu said that China, deeply concerned about the ongoing stalemate in the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, supports the current direct talks and understands the Palestinians' position on the Jewish settlement issue, and urged the parties to push forward the peace process with constructive measures.
Israel and the Palestinians resumed direct negotiations early September. However, the talks were halted when Israeli settlers restarted building in the West Bank after Sept. 26, when Israel's 10-month settlement construction moratorium ended. The Palestinian National Authority has made clear that it will enter the parley only if Israeli government extends the freeze.
Regarding the Palestinian internal reconciliation, the envoy said that China supports the reconciliation process, urging the Palestinian fractions to resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiation.
During the meeting, Abbas speaks highly of the active role that China has played in promoting the Middle East peace process, and China's long-term support and assistance to the Palestinians.
The Palestinian side is willing to, with the support of relative parties and international community, make efforts to solve the difficulties facing the peace talks and push the negotiations to move in a positive direction.
Wu also met with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki and Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat on Thursday, after holding talks with Israeli officials one day earlier.
