China: Palestinian reconciliation 'represents positive progress'

China yesterday welcomed the Palestinian reconciliation agreement signed between Fatah and Hamas to end the division and form a national consensus government, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Qin Gang told reporters that “the agreement represents positive progress in the Palestinian reconciliation process and implementing its clauses will contribute to strengthening the Palestinian internal unity and benefits the peace process and establishing an independent Palestinian state.”

Gang said: “China calls on the international community to provide support and encouragement to the Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations.”

He pointed out that his country believes that peace talks are the only way to achieve peace between Israel and Palestine, hoping that the Palestinian and Israeli sides will continue the negotiations and reach a solution as soon as possible.