Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon exchanged views on the situation in the Gaza Strip over telephone on Sunday.

During the conversation initiated by the UN chief, Yang said the UN Security Council Resolution 1860 once again reflected the strong desire from the international community for an immediate ceasefire, the alleviation of the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, and the promotion of peace and stability in the region.

Yang stressed that the desperate priority should be the faithful observance of the resolution by all parties involved.

First, the immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip should be realized; and secondly, the humanitarian crisis should be mitigated as soon as possible while noninterference into the humanitarian assistance and security of the UN personnel should be feasibly guaranteed, Yang said.

Yang added that China would continue to make its efforts to ease the tension, alleviate the crisis and push for a ceasefire negotiation.

Ban expressed his complete agreement with Yang and said he would make a visit to Gaza shortly in hopes of ensuring the implementation of the resolution 1860.

Yang and Ban also exchanged views on other international and regional issues such as those of Myanmar and Sudan's Darfur.

(Xinhua News Agency January 11, 2009)