China backs efforts for Palestine-Israel talks

BEIJING - China backs the international community's efforts to revive Palestine-Israel negotiations, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.

"Palestine and Israel are facing important opportunities to restart negotiations. China supports related parties in the international community to step up peacemaking efforts, urge Palestine and Israel to work together and restore dialogue at an early date," Hong Lei said at a daily press briefing.

He made the remarks when asked to comment on US Secretary of State John Kerry's upcoming visit to the Middle East.

China has always supported and promoted the Middle East peace process, Hong said, citing Palestinian and Israeli leaders' visits to China in May and China's four-point proposal on solving the Palestine issue.

Hong also introduced Chinese special envoy to the Middle East Wu Sike's ongoing mission to Egypt and Jordan.

"China will, as always, be committed to promoting peace and dialogue and make unremitting efforts for all-round and fair settlement to the Palestinian issue," Hong said.