China condemned a suicide bombing in Jerusalem on Tuesday, calling for the Palestinian and Israeli sides to halt the "vicious circle of violence" in the region.
At least 13 people were killed and 40 others wounded as a suicide bomber blew himself up on a crowded bus in southern Jerusalem Tuesday morning.
"China opposes and condemns the suicide bombing which targeted innocent civilians, and expresses condolences to victims and their families," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said.
He said that violence-for-violence could do nothing, but increase hatred between the Palestinians and Israelis.
"China again urges the two sides to make concerted efforts at reconciliation with the help of the international community and to halt the vicious circle of violence in order to seek political solutions to disputes through negotiations," Liu said.
(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2002)
