Beijing urges Mideast peace efforts

China appealed for more efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian issue as diplomats gathered in Beijing on Tuesday to seek solutions to the problem.

"We need to redouble efforts to promote peace talks," Assistant Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said at the United Nations International Meeting in Support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace.

Diplomats, UN delegates, academics and figures from the Palestinian and Israeli parliaments attended the meeting.

"The international community should be fully aware of the importance and urgency of settling the Palestinian question and make every effort to promote the resumption of peace talks," Ma added on the first day of the two-day conference.

Although the Middle East is suffering from the Syrian conflict and issues in Iran, the Israeli-Palestinian problem is key in the region, according to Wu Sike, China's envoy to the Middle East.

It is the first time for China to host such meetings, which will explore possible ways for the international community to create conditions conducive to the resumption of meaningful negotiations between concerned parties.

The meeting follows Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' visit to China in May, which overlapped with a visit to the country by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Some media reports said China has increased its attention paid to the Middle East, but Wu prefers to interpret this as a coincidence.

"China has made a lot of efforts to mediate between Palestine and Israel, and its position on the region has not changed," he said.

Ma said in his speech at the meeting that China is committed to pushing forward the Middle East peace process and has always supported the Palestinian people's efforts in restoring their legitimate national rights.

He said the four-point proposal raised by President Xi Jinping during Abbas and Netanyahu's visits for settling the Palestinian question is among major measures China has taken in pushing for the resumption of talks between the two sides. China hopes to work with the international community to help Palestinians and Israelis end conflict and realize the dream of peace, Ma said.

During the meeting, China's efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian issue were praised by the UN and other countries.

The four-point proposal for a settlement advanced by Xi offers an important blueprint for peace, said Abdou Salam Diallo, chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.

The tireless shuttle diplomacy by Wu Sike also deserved appreciation, he said.

Bassam al-Salhi, secretary-general of the Palestinian People's Party and member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and representative of the State of Palestine, welcomed China's vision for peace and the role the country can play.

He expressed his "profound appreciation" for China declaring its support in 2011 for the application by Palestine for full membership of the UN.

Yao Kuangyi, former Chinese ambassador to Turkey and an expert on the Middle East, said China has a unique advantage in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian issue, as Beijing enjoys favorable ties with both sides.

zhouwa@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 06/19/2013 page11)