Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei held a press conference on November 15, 2012.
Q: Since the Israeli army declared to wage a large scale military operation against the Gaza Strip on November 14, nine people have been killed and dozens injured. Ahmed Said Khalil al Jabari, Senior Commander of the "Qassam Brigades", a military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), was killed in Israel's air strike. What is China's comment?
A: China expresses grave concern over the large scale military operation initiated by Israel against the Gaza Strip and condemns any action that leads to civilian casualties. China urges all relevant parties, the Israeli side in particular, to exercise maximum restraint in a bid to avoid further escalation of tension. The conflict once again demontrates that given the current situation in the region, it has become even more important and urgent to solve the Palestinian issue. The international community should pay more attention and make more efforts towards that end.
Q: Where will China's foreign policy head for following the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC)?
A: In his report delivered at the opening ceremony of the 18th National Congress of the CPC, comrade Hu Jintao outlined China's views on the international situation and its foreign policy in an all-round manner. China will continue to push for the realization of a harmonious world with enduring peace and common prosperity, hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and win-win outcome and stay committed to safeguarding world peace and promoting common development. China will unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development, firmly uphold the independent foreign policy of peace and the win-win strategy of opening-up. China will comprehensively develop its friendly cooperation with countries around the world on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The Chinese people love peace, yearn for development and are ready to join peoples of other countries to make unremitting efforts for mankind's lofty cause of peace and development.
After the press conference, a journalist asked the following question: Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister said that the Syrian opposition's refusal to talk with the Syrian government in Doha, Qatar amounted to a "declaration of war". It demonstrates that the opposition does not want to solve the issue peacefully through the UN mechanism. What is China's comment?
Hong lei said that the Chinese side always believes that political means is the only right approach to solve the Syrian crisis. In order to put an end to the Syrian crisis at an early date, we hope that all parties concerned in Syria will immediately cease fire and stop violence, start dialogue, cooperate with Joint Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi's mediation efforts and push forward the transition process led by the Syrian people.