Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi announced five principles to promote the Middle East peace process at the Annapolis conference on Tuesday.

 

First, respect history, accommodate each others' concerns and keep the peace talks on the right track. It is important to start negotiations on the final status issue, work for the resolution of issues concerning the boundary, refugees and water resources, and establish an independent Palestinian state based on the "Roadmap" and the Arab Peace Initiative., the foreign minister said.

 

Second, renounce violence, remove obstruction and remain firmly committed to the peace talks.

 

Third, advance the peace talks in an all-round and balanced way and create an environment conducive to the peace talks. The Palestinian issue and other issues in the Middle East are inter- related and affect each other. Therefore, the peace talks between Israel and Syria and between Israel and Lebanon should be restarted in due course.

 

Fourth, give priority to development and enhance cooperation to solidify the foundation of the peace talks. The parties concerned and the international community should create conditions to strengthen business ties among countries in the region.

 

Fifth, build consensus, increase input and enhance support for the peace talks. The international community should carry out close cooperation and establish a broad-based, balanced and effective multilateral mechanism to facilitate and support the peace talks, Yang said.

 

He added that China will, as always, play a constructive role in achieving peace in the Middle East.

 

(China Daily via Xinhua News Agency November 29, 2007)