While meeting with Canadian Deputy Foreign Minister Lavertu on December 4, 2001, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan elaborated on China's position on the current Middle East situation. He noted that the Middle East situation has become tense again in recent days with several consecutive explosion incidents in Jerusalem and Haifa and with Israel sending armed helicopters to bomb Gaza. We strongly condemn these violent attacks and the bombing of Palestine-controlled region by Israel, the bombing of Arafat's presidential palace in particular. China is deeply disturbed that this may lead to the escalation of tensions between Israel and Palestine. We urge the relevant parties to exercise restraint, prevent the situations from getting worse, take effective measures and halt all conflicts at once, be responsive to the mediation efforts of the international community, restore the Israel-Palestine negotiations at an early date, and seek a complete resolution of the problem through peaceful means.