China calls for Israel to acknowledge Palestinian unity

China has called on Israel to acknowledge the conciliation between the Fatah and Hamas factions, expressing hope that it accepts this reality and applies efforts towards resuming peace talks.  China's request followed Israel’s official rejection of peace talks with a Palestinian government that involves Hamas. Chinese Middle East envoy Wu Sike, who is currently visiting the region, said that China is willing to play a constructive role in bringing Israel and the Palestinians back to peace negotiations, Chinese news agency (Xinhua) reported. Wu met with Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Yitzhak Molcho, head of Israel's negotiating team to the Amman exploratory talks with Palestinians earlier this year. He noted that Israeli-Palestinian peace process should remain the focus in the Middle East, despite latest changes of international or regional situation. China welcomes and supports recent meetings between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority, in an effort to restart long- stalled talks, the Chinese envoy said, adding that his government hopes both sides show enough flexibility and create a favorable environment to resume peace negotiations. On another note, Wu indicated that China is concerned with Israel's intentions to attack Iranian nuclear facilities. "Both sides are now cautious of the disastrous result of military confrontations. There's still room for a peaceful solution," he explained. While stressing Iran's right to use nuclear power for peaceful purposes, he urged Iran to comply with the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) and cooperate with the international community, so as to reduce current tensions through negotiations.