NICOSIA, April 17 (Xinhuanet) -- The Chinese envoy attending a U.N.
Mideast peace conference here on Wednesday strongly appealed to
both Israel and the Palestinians, especially Israel, to implement
the relevant U.N. resolutions in real earnest.
   Chinese Ambassador to Cyprus Song Aiguo demanded at the two-day
conference that Israel withdraw all its troops from Palestinian
territories as a first step towards a re-start of peace talks at an
early date.
   The U.N. International Meeting in Support of Middle East Peace,
organized by the U.N. Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable
Rights of the Palestinian People, was opened Tuesday amid
escalation of Israel-Palestinian conflicts, which have lasted for
more than 18 months and is feared to lead to humanitarian
disasters.
   The Chinese envoy pointed out that since late last month,
Israeli-Palestinian conflicts have continuously escalated, to which
the Chinese government shows deep concern and worry.
   "Israel should bear the main responsibility for the tension in
the region," he said.
   "We believe that Israel's military strikes, economic blockade
against Palestine and its confinement of President Arafat will only
further aggravate the current situation," Song added.
   He said the Middle East history has repeatedly proved that war
and occupation can in no way bring peace, and the policy of pitting
violence against violence will only deepen the mutual hatred and
worsen regional tension.
   Only dialogue and negotiation are the right solution to the
conflicts, the Chinese envoy stressed.
   The international community, especially the United Nations, is
duty-bound to provide necessary assistance to the Palestinian
people, bear important responsibility to ease the conflicts and
push the Middle East peace process forward uninterruptedly, Song
said.
   The envoy pledged that the Chinese government and people will,
as always, continue to join the international community in making
positive efforts for an early, just and reasonable settlement of
the Middle East question including the Palestinian issue.  Enditem