China calls for de-escalation and effective global efforts in Gaza

Beijing has voiced its deep concerns about the ongoing conflict in Gaza, calling for a de-escalation of tensions and a more effective international peace conference as the conflict entered a second year.

Noting that the conflict has killed a large number of innocent people and caused an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Tuesday that military means and violence will only increase hatred and make chances of peace even slimmer.

The top priority is to achieve a cease-fire and provide humanitarian aid, Mao told a regular news conference.

Also, post-war reconstruction of Gaza should follow the basic principle of "the Palestinians governing Palestine", Mao said, adding that the two-state solution is a fundamental way out for addressing the Gaza issue.

The legitimate rights of the Palestinian nation should be fulfilled, and Israel's reasonable security concerns should also be valued, Mao said.

"The international community should ... convene a larger, more authoritative and more effective peace conference, and make a timetable and road map for implementing the two-state solution, so that Palestine and Israel will live together in peace, and that the Arab and the Jewish nations will coexist in harmony," she said.