Israel-Palestine talks must resume: China

China called for a resumption of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians at a conference in Beijing yesterday, as the rising global power seeks greater diplomatic influence in the Middle East.
"We need to redouble efforts to promote peace talks," assistant foreign minister Ma Zhaoxu said at the United Nations International Meeting in Support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace, an event attended by diplomats, UN delegates, academics, and figures from the Palestinian and Israeli parliaments.
"The international community should be fully aware of the importance and urgency of settling the Palestinian question and make every effort to promote the resumption of peace talks," he added, on the first day of the two-day conference.
Beijing has traditionally remained distant from Middle East affairs in the past.