BEIJING, March 12 (Xinhuanet) -- China supports any effort that
helps bring about the Middle East peace process, said the Chinese
Foreign Ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi Tuesday in response to a
question about Saudi Arabia's peace proposal.
   China maintains traditional friendly relations with all Arab
countries and has had favorable cooperation in dealing with
international and regional issues, Sun said at a regular press
conference.
   He reiterated that China's principled stance on the Middle East
issue remains unchanged. Israel's occupation of Arab territories
should be ended in line with United Nations related resolutions
and the legal rights and interests of the Palestinian people
should be restored. At the same time Israel's security should be
ensured.
   The "land for peace" principle and agreements reached in peace
talks should be respected, he said, adding that China calls on all
involved parties to come back to the negotiation table and to push
talks forward.
   China opposes Israel's use of force against Palestine and
opposes any violence against innocent civilians and hopes that
Israel and Palestine will end the conflict immediately and
cooperate with the international community to restore peace talks,
Sun said.
   Sun said China appeals to the international community to focus
more attention and effort towards the Middle East issue, adding
that the United Nations is expected to play a bigger role in the
settlement of the issue.  Enditem