On February 29, 2012, Chinese Special Envoy on the Middle East Issue Wu Sike received an exclusive interview by Hong Kong Phoenix TV on the issues of Palestine and Israel, Syria and the situation in West Asia and North Africa.

With regard to Palestine and Israel, Wu introduced his efforts to promote the peace talks during his recent visit to Israel, Palestine and Jordan. He stressed that the Palestinian issue is the core of the Middle East issue. Peace talks are the foundation of the Middle East peace process and the only way to achieve comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East. All the issues involving the ultimate status of Palestine, such as border, security, return of refugees, water resource allocation and the status of Jerusalem, can only be gradually resolved through peaceful negotiations between Palestine and Israel.

The Palestine-Israel peace talks have come to a standstill in recent years. However, dialogue is always better than confrontation. The stagnation or even retrogression of peace talks can only bring more instability and conflict. The more complex and severe the situation is, the more determined the international community should be to make peace talks the main channel. It should step up diplomatic efforts to push Palestine and Israel, especially the latter which is in a stronger position, to take practical measures to remove obstacles, rebuild mutual trust and strive for early resumption of talks.

He noted that China is one of the first countries supporting the Palestinian national liberation movement and recognizing the Palestine Liberation Organization and the State of Palestine. China always unswervingly supports the Arab just cause and always responds positively to the just and reasonable demands of the Palestinian people. We have stated publicly that "China supports the founding of the State of Palestine with complete sovereignty and independence and with East Jerusalem as its capital on the basis of the 1967 boundary line". The stand of China among the major powers is closest to the demands of the Palestinian and Arab sides.

China has been providing Palestine with assistance within its capacity. Its help for Palestine is sincere and selfless without any condition attached. We deeply understand what the Palestinian people are going through and will continue to provide necessary help for the country.

At the same time, China attaches importance to developing relations with Israel. We have always been handling relations with Israel as well as with Palestine and the Arab world in a fair, balanced and responsible attitude, using our friendly relations with both Palestine and Israel to promote communication and mediation over the Palestinian issue and encouraging both sides to show flexibility and take practical steps to rebuild mutual trust and advance peace talks. When communicating with Israel, China never blurs its support for the reasonable demands of the Palestinian and Arab side. Israel understands China's stance and listens to China's relevant suggestions sincerely. Therefore, Wu believes the development of China-Israel relations will not affect China's consistent principled position on the Palestinian issue. On the contrary, it will facilitate China's communications with both Palestine and Israel in a balanced manner and push forward the Palestine-Israel peace process.

Concerning the Syrian issue, Wu said that he discussed it with related parties during his recent visit to the regional countries. They all feel sad about the deteriorating situation in Syria and the consequent serious casualties and believe the Syrian crisis should not be allowed to continue. The top priority at present is to stop violence. No matter the Syrian government or the opposition should immediately stop the violence against civilians in order to avoid the repeat of bloody tragedies. Then, an inclusive political process in which all parties participate widely should be launched as soon as possible so as to solve the Syrian issue properly through dialogue and consultation. He noticed that Syria recently conducted a referendum on the new constitution which stipulated the transition from one-party dictatorship to political pluralism. The referendum was widely participated in, reflecting the wish of the people to stop the unrest. We support all the efforts aimed at properly settling the Syrian issue. Our goal is to safeguard the fundamental interests of all the Syrian people. We are neither partial to anyone nor support one party to suppress others. To impose solutions or force a "regime change" does not help the solution of the Syrian issue. Taking into account the fundamental and long-term interests of the Syrian people and people in the Middle East and for the sake of peace and stability in Syria and the Middle East, the international community should make effective efforts to appropriately solve the issue rather than deteriorate it. We believe that the Syrian people have the ability and wisdom to solve the crisis and get out of the difficult situation.

With regard to the situation in West Asia and North Africa, Wu said that West Asia and North Africa hold a special strategic position and have important influence in the world's political, economic, and energy affairs. Its situation affects world security and stability. To promote peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region serves the interests of the regional countries and the international community.

He introduced China's basic stance on the situation in West Asia and North Africa. First, China respects and supports the regional countries to deal with their internal affairs on their own, respects the demands for reform and development of people in the region, supports the political transition process of some countries and trusts the regional countries and people have the ability and resources to find the development path suited to their national conditions. Second, China hopes related parties in the region to reduce differences through political dialogue, seek inclusive and peaceful solutions, avoid violence and armed conflicts and restore stability and normal order as soon as possible. Third, China appeals to the international community and the regional countries to respect the purposes of the UN Charter and norms of the international laws, play an active and constructive role to ease the tension in the region and oppose external military intervention or imposition of sanctions. The leading role of the UN in promoting stabilization and reconstruction in the region should be played and the voice of the regional organizations should be heard. Fourth, China calls upon the international community to strengthen economic assistance to and cooperation with the region, endeavor to promote the solution of Palestine-Israel disputes and the Iranian nuclear issue and create favorable conditions for regional stability and development.

He noted at last that China supports all the diplomatic mediation efforts conducive to resuming stability in the region. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a responsible big country, China is willing to make joint efforts with the international community to promote peace, stability and development in West Asia and North Africa.