During his meeting with Canadian Deputy Foreign Minister Gaetan Lavertu on 4 December, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan elaborated on China's position towards the Middle East. Minister Tang said that there is an escalation of tensions in the Middle East in recent days, including the bombing incidents in Jerusalem and Haifa and Israel's helicopter bombings of the Gaza Strip. We wish to express our strong condemnation of the violent attacks. We condemn Israel's bombing of Palestine's controlled areas, especially Arafat's presidential residence. We are deeply worried over the possible escalation of conflicts between Israel and Palestine as a result. We call upon the relevant parties to exercise restraint, avoid the further escalation of the situation, earnestly adopt effective measures and stop as soon as possible all sorts of conflict. It is also our hope that the parities go along with the international mediation efforts, have an early restoration of negotiations between Israel and Palestine and seek a peaceful solution of the question once for all.