BEIJING, July 4 (Xinhua) -- China voiced strong calls here Tuesday for Israel and Palestine to create favorable conditions to settle the ongoing military conflicts.

    Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu expressed her deep concerns over worsening situation in the Middle East at a routine press conference, urging Palestine and Israel to exercise restraint to cool down the conflicts.

    "China calls for Israel to remain restraint and cease the military actions immediately and the Palestinian side to positively coordinate the diplomatic efforts from various concerned parties to release the hostage as early as possible", Jiang said.

    Israel launched the operation of "Summer Rain" early Wednesday after two days of unfruitful international mediation over the release of Cpl. Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped by Palestinian soldiers in an attack on a military position near the Gaza border on Sunday morning. Enditem