¡¡¡¡BEIJING, Jan. 30 (Xinhuanet) -- China hopes the new Israeli government maintains the strategic option of peace with the Palestinians, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said here Thursday.

¡¡¡¡Zhang said the Chinese government respects the Israeli people'schoice in the election on Tuesday.

¡¡¡¡China hopes the new Israeli government will maintain the strategic option of peace, resolve disputes through political dialogue and advance the Middle East peace process on the basis ofthe relevant UN resolutions and the "land for peace" principle.

¡¡¡¡The Israeli election gave the right-wing Likud party led by incumbent Prime Minister Ariel Sharon 36 seats in the 120-member Knesset, making it the largest party in the parliament. Enditem