Palestinian groups hold 'positive talks' in Beijing

China on Tuesday said positive progress has been made during the recent talks between the two main Palestinian groups, Fatah and Hamas, in Beijing, and that they had jointly agreed to continue the process to achieve the solidarity and unity of Palestine at an early time.

Representatives of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) recently came to Beijing for in-depth and candid talks on promoting Palestinian internal reconciliation, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian confirmed at a daily news briefing.

Lin said two sides fully expressed their political will to achieve reconciliation through dialogue and consultation and discussed many specific issues.

Both sides highly appreciated China's firm support for the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights and thanked China for its efforts to help strengthen Palestinian internal unity, he said.

In another development, Lin warned the Philippines to immediately stop its provocative actions in the South China Sea and not challenge China's firm determination to safeguard its sovereignty, after a Philippine coast guard ship and another Philippine vessel intruded into waters near Huangyan Island on Tuesday without China's permission.

He slammed the intrusion for seriously violating China's sovereignty as Huangyan Island is an inherent part of China's territory.

Gan Yu, spokesman for China Coast Guard, said it has taken necessary measures, including tracking and monitoring, the use of water cannon as well as blocking and control measures, to expel the two vessels.

The maneuvers were professional, standardized, reasonable and legitimate, he added.

China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Island and its adjacent waters, Gan said, accusing the Philippines of gravely violating international law and basic principles of international relations.

China Coast Guard will continue its operations of rights protection and law enforcement in the waters under China's jurisdiction, he added.