Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Ambassador Liu Zhenmin at the Security Council open debate on the Middle East speech

Mr President,

We welcome the public debate of the Security Council held a meeting, thank Under-Secretary-General Pascoe briefing.

December 16 last year, the Security Council ministerial meeting on the Middle East question and the adoption of resolution 1850 resolution that the Security Council in support of the Israeli-Palestinian political negotiations, achieve a lasting Middle East peace efforts, but also reflects the international community to both Palestine and Israel achieve peaceful coexistence expectations. However, the adoption of the resolution only after 11 days, the situation in the Middle East has changed dramatically. Israel since December 27 last year from the Gaza Strip carried out more than 20 days of military action, resulting in a large number of Palestinian civilian casualties and extensive property damage, but also the Middle East peace process faces severe challenges and a major setback. China would like to reiterate that we oppose the use of force to resolve disputes, against all acts of violence against civilians.

The current situation in the Middle East remains tense and fragile, the Palestinians and Israelis achieve a lasting cease-fire agreement has not yet, hostility and violence have occurred when the activity. Gaza humanitarian situation is worrying, difficulties in the reconstruction process, the Palestinian West Bank is also concerned about the plight of the people. Resumption of negotiations between Palestine and Israel there are still many uncertainties. We call on relevant parties to maintain maximum restraint and renounce violence and military means, to avoid any tensions may lead to the act. We urge Israel to open Gaza crossings, and stop building settlements in the West Bank to the Palestinian people to enjoy a normal and dignified life. We are concerned about the difficulties faced by the Palestinian people and called on the international community to continue to provide assistance to Pakistan, including humanitarian aid, development assistance and technical assistance.

Mr President,

We believe that the face remains tense and fragile situation in the Middle East, the current international community should focus on promoting the following four aspects:

First, the consolidation of the security situation and promote a lasting cease-fire implementation. The parties concerned should be taken seriously, fully implement the January 8 this year, the Council adopted resolution No. 1860, as soon as possible to reach a comprehensive and lasting cease-fire arrangements. To this end, the international community should support efforts by Egypt and other countries.

Second, the implementation of the Gaza Strip promised reconstruction aid to ease the situation in the local people. We welcome the March 2 at the donor conference held in Sharm el-Sheikh achieve positive results and called on the international community will undertake to translate into practical action. Israel should open cross-border crossings to ensure that the necessary humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials into the Gaza successfully. At the same time, we look forward to the Secretary-General established the Commission of Inquiry (Board of Inquiry), briefed the Council on a timely manner the results of the survey.

Third, to promote intra-Palestinian reconciliation. Palestinian internal reconciliation of the interests of the Palestinian people to safeguard and restore the Middle East peace process. We call on all Palestinian factions to dialogue in good faith, to resolve their differences.

Fourth, the resumption of the Middle East peace process as soon as possible. We have always believed that political negotiations are to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East, the only correct way. The Council should more actively support the Palestinian-Israeli negotiating process, in particular, is to ensure that the relevant Security Council resolutions be respected and implemented. We hope that the Middle East Quartet to play a greater role in the promotion of Pakistan to the "land for peace" principle, "the Arab peace initiative" and the "road map", such as the resumption of political negotiations on the basis that an early realization of peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel both country prospects.

China is willing to join the international community to continue to question an early and proper settlement of the Middle East, the Middle East achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace to play a constructive role.

Thank you, Mr President.