BEIJING: While strongly condemning violence against Palestinians on Gaza border area, a Chinese foreign ministry’s spokesperson called upon two parties especially Israel to maintain restraint and avoid escalation of the tension.
“We express serious concerns over the casualties as a result of violent conflict in the Gaza border area,” Lu Kang told reporters during his regular briefing while responding to a question regarding killing of dozens of Palestinians protesters by Israeli troops on the Gaza border on Monday when the high-profile opening of the US embassy to Israel in Jerusalem by the Trump administration raised tension to boiling point after weeks of demonstrations.
“We condemn violence against civilians and call upon the two parties especially Israel to maintain restraint and avoid escalation of the tension,” he said.
The spokesperson said the issue of the status of Jerusalem was highly complex and sensitive and it was among the core issues of the Israel Palestine dispute. And it also involved the national and religious sentiments.
“We always believe that we should resume the peace talks between the two sides in accordance with UN resolution and through the dialogue between the two countries,” he added.
He said the Chinese side supported the Palestinians in assuming their legitimate rights and interest, adding, “We support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state that enjoys a complete sovereignty. And based on 1967 negotiated boundary with East Jerusalem of its capital on basis of the two-state solution”.
The spokesperson said the Chinese side would work with the international community for this issue.
It may be mentioned that in the bloodiest single day for Palestinians since 2014, Palestinian Health Ministry officials said 58 protesters were killed and 2,700 injured by live gunfire, tear gas or other means.
The bloodshed drew calls for restraint from some countries, including France and Britain, and stronger criticism from others, with regional power Turkey calling it “a massacre”. …APP
