Q: There were a series of explosions in Jerusalem, resulting in heavy casualties. The Israeli army carried out retaliatory attacks against Palestinian-controlled areas. What is China?s comment on the current situation in the Middle East?

A: Recently, the violent conflicts between Israel and Palestine have once again escalated, to which we express our grave concern. At present, the Middle East peace process is faced with severe challenges. We hope that the Israeli and Palestinian sides can exercise restraint, avoid further escalation of the conflicts and hurting innocent civilians, and resume peace talks at an early date on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions and the agreements reached between the two sides.