China Urges Israel to Stop Settlements, Promote Palestinian Statehood
Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Li Baodong emphasized the need for Israel to stop its settlement expansion and create conditions for dialogue and negotiations with Palestinians. Li's comments came during an open debate of the UN Security Council on the Middle East question. China welcomed the recent prisoner exchange agreement between the two sides and urged them to continue easing tensions and restarting peace talks. Li also stressed the importance of international community support and the UN Security Council's role in resolving the Middle East issue.
Key Takeaways:
- China opposes Israeli settlement expansion in East Jerusalem and urges Israel to stop the project immediately.
- Li Baodong noted that the Israeli settlement is a major obstacle to resuming peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
- China welcomes the recent agreement between Israel and the Palestinians on prisoner exchange and hopes for continued constructive measures to ease tensions.
- The Chinese ambassador emphasized the need for the international community, including the UN Security Council, to play a bigger role in solving the Middle East question.
- China supports the membership of Palestine in the United Nations and recognizes the state of Palestine as one of the first countries to do so.
Statistics:
- Li Baodong stated that the Israeli settlement is the direct cause of the impasse of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
- China urges Israel to create conditions for building mutual trust between the two sides and break the impasse.
- The Mideast Quartet will hold direct talks with Israel and the Palestinians respectively on resumption of direct peace talks on Wednesday.
- China supports the UN Security Council in playing a bigger role in solving the Middle East question.
Sources:
- Xinhua News Agency, "China welcomes and supports international efforts in bridging the differences between Israel and the Palestinians" (Xinhua via COMTEX, October 24, 2011).