China's special envoy to the Middle East Wang Shijie yesterday described renewed violence in the Middle East as "regrettable" and urged both the Israelis and Palestinians to take more steps toward peace.

Fresh from a 10-day tour to the region, Wang said that violence cannot resolve any problem, and can only lead to deeper hatred.

"The Chinese side hopes the two sides can make good use of the favorable momentum and put an end to the vicious circle of violence and resume their peace talks," he said at a media briefing.

The optimistic prospects of the peace process after the pullout of Israeli ground troops from Gaza on September 12 were clouded by violence over the past week.

"It's a positive step for Israel to withdraw from Gaza but it's not enough," said Wang, while adding that it is understandable that it is a difficult step for Israel to withdraw from the region after a 38-year occupation.

He said that during his trip to the Middle East, he had expressed the Chinese government's hope to both sides that they should take firm steps to improve the situation.

"We hope that more measures will be taken, including the transfer of management rights of Gaza airports and seaports to the Palestinians," he said.

"I have also indicated our hopes to the Palestinian side that they can have an effective control of the situation and not harm innocent Israeli civilians."

Wang said the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the principle of "land for peace" constituted the basis for a political settlement of the Middle East issue, calling the two sides to resume peace talks and follow the "roadmap" plan in good faith.

(China Daily September 29, 2005)