¡¡¡¡BEIJING, Dec. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- China Friday called on Israel to withdraw its army from the Palestine-controlled area as soon as possible and condemned the Israeli army's operation in recent days that has caused new Palestinian injuries.

¡¡¡¡Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao made the remarks in response to questions from the press on Israeli reoccupation of Bethlehem and the curfew imposed by the Israeli army in the town.

¡¡¡¡Liu said that China condemned the reoccupation of Bethlehem that has brought new Palestinian injuries.

¡¡¡¡China showed serious concern over the act that may lead to escalation of the already intense situation in the region, he said.

¡¡¡¡China called on Israel to cooperate with the peace-promoting efforts of the international community and withdraw its army as soon as possible so as to create conditions for the resumption of regional stability, he said. Enditem