BEIJING -- China said on Tuesday that the recent turmoil in the Middle East should not distract international attention from the Palestinian issue.

"We have kept a close eye on the complex and profound changes occurring in the Middle East region, however, the international community should not overlook other hot-spot issues, especially the Palestinian issue," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a regular press conference in Beijing.

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China is committed to working with the international community to continue to play a constructive role to help resolve the issue, Jiang noted.

Jiang said Chinese Middle East envoy Wu Sike will visit Israel, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and Qatar from March 23 to April 2.

Wu will discuss the Middle East peace process and exchange views on the current regional situation with relevant sides, she added.

The spokeswoman expressed her hope that Wu would hold meaningful discussions with his counterparts on the situation in the Middle East and the promotion of the regional peace process during his visit.

Jiang said China has maintained good and cooperative relations with all Middle Eastern countries and forged exchanges and cooperation with the countries in the Gulf region.

Middle Eastern countries have played significant roles in addressing the regional issues, Jiang said, adding that China hopes to see those countries make concerted efforts to promote the regional peace process.