Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks during a Security Council emergency meeting on escalation of tensions in Israel and Palestine at the UN headquarters in New York, Oct. 16, 2015. China urges both Palestine and Israel to exercise maximum restraint and take practical measures to avoid further escalation of the conflict, said a Chinese envoy here Friday. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- China urges both Palestine and Israel to exercise maximum restraint and take practical measures to avoid further escalation of the conflict, said a Chinese envoy here Friday.
Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN, made the remarks at a Security Council emergency meeting on escalation of tensions in Israel and Palestine.
At the meeting, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Taye Brook Zerihoun, briefed the Security Council on the recent violence among Israelis and Palestinians, noting that as of Thursday, a total of seven Israelis and 32 Palestinians were killed, and some 124 Israelis and more than 1,118 Palestinians were reportedly injured since Oct. 1.
"The conflict between Palestine and Israel has further escalated, causing worsening security situation in East Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza," said Liu. "China is deeply worried about this development."
While expressing concerns about the military crackdowns by Israeli forces that resulted in Palestinian civilian casualties, Liu said "the excessive use of force to cause casualties of innocent civilians is unacceptable."
In this regard, Liu said the international community, in particular the Security Council, should have a stronger sense of urgency, actively respond to the legitimate demands of Palestine and the Arab countries, and promote efforts by parties concerned to immediately cease the clashes and de-escalate tensions.
"Achieving the peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel is the right direction towards resolving the Palestine-Israel question," he noted. "We hope that the Israeli government will take the lead in taking actions and display good faith."
Liu also called on the international community to make concerted efforts to promote the quick resumption of talks by Palestine and Israel on the platform which is broadly based with the direct participation of all major parties to resolve the deep-rooted issues in the bilateral relations.
"China is consistent in its support for the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national interests and rights," said Liu. "We stand ready to continue to keep the contact and coordination with parties concerned to make unremitting efforts towards easing tensions between Palestine and Israel and promoting the resumption of talks."
