China backs the international community's efforts to revive negotiations between Palestine and Israel, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.

"Palestine and Israel are facing important opportunities to restart negotiations. China supports related parties in the international community stepping up peacemaking efforts and urges Palestine and Israel to work together and restore dialogue at an early date," Hong Lei said at a daily news conference.

He made the remarks when asked to comment on US Secretary of State John Kerry's upcoming visit to the Middle East.

China has always supported and promoted the Middle East peace process, Hong said, citing Palestinian and Israeli leaders' visits to China in May and China's four-point proposal on solving the Palestine issue.

"China will, as always, be committed to promoting peace and dialogue and making unremitting efforts for an all-around and fair settlement to the Palestinian issue," Hong said.

China Daily

(China Daily 06/05/2013 page12)