Mr. President,

It is of great significance for the Security Council to hold this meeting when the Middle East issue is at a crucial juncture.

Palestine and Israel started arduous political negotiations after the launching of the Annapolis Process in November last year. The international community has made unremitting efforts to advance the peace process. Regrettably, however, no major breakthrough has been made in the negotiations within the set timetable. The current situation in the Middle East is featured by both opportunities for improvement and uncertainties and risks. It is a common challenge for the international community to ensure advancement of the negotiation process and achieve substantive progress at an early date. We believe that this meeting of the Security Council will play a positive role in the joint effort to cope with this challenge.

Mr. President,

China has always maintained that the Security Council should play its due role in resolving the Middle East issue. Under the current circumstances, we support the adoption of a resolution by the Security Council on the Middle East. We welcome the draft resolution introduced by the United States and Russia whose essence is to support Palestine and Israel in their efforts to push ahead political negotiations. We have consistently believed that political negotiations are the only right way to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East. We hope that under the new circumstances, the two sides will restore the momentum of negotiations at an early date. We look forward to early realization of peaceful coexistence of the two states of Palestine and Israel on the basis of relevant UN resolutions and the principle of "land for peace" through negotiations.

Mr. President,

Like Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, China also hopes that the year 2009 will be a year of harvest for the Middle East peace process. We have full expectations for that, but we are also aware that the road ahead will not be smooth.

Palestine and Israel should earnestly honor their respective obligations.

Both sides should refrain from taking any actions that may undermine mutual trust or prejudge the outcome of negotiations. Israel's continued construction of settlements in the West Bank and blockade and embargo on Gaza will not help create a favorable atmosphere for the negotiations.

China is gravely concerned about the humanitarian crisis faced by the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza. We call on the international community to continue to provide all kinds of assistance and actively help Palestine accelerate its capacity building and economic development.

Mr. President,

Lasting peace in the Middle East must be comprehensive peace. Realization of peace between Syria and Israel and between Lebanon and Israel are important parts of the Middle East peace process. We look forward to the improvement of relations between Syria and Israel and between Lebanon and Israel through peaceful negotiations and call for strengthened diplomatic efforts by the international community. The potential of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative needs to be further tapped.

Mr. President,

The Quartet mechanism has been playing an important role in seeking a comprehensive solution to the Middle East issue and it needs to further intensify its efforts. We support the continued participation of Secretary-General in the Quartet's activities and hope that the Quartet will step up its consultation and coordination with the Security Council.

China will continue to work with the international community to play a constructive role in properly resolving the Middle East issue at an early date and realizing comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the region.

Thank you, Mr. President.