The Chinese side holds that any solution to the Middle East issue should be carried out on the basis of full consultation among parties concerned, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan in Beijing Friday.

Kong made the remark in response to a reporter's question on US President Bush's latest remarks on the Palestine-Israel issue during his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in the While House.

Kong said the Chinese side has noted President Bush's remarks on the issue.

He said the Palestine issue is the core of the Middle East issue, and issues like the Palestine's territory, refugees and borders all concern Palestine's final position and are important and sensitive.

Kong said all these issues should be properly resolved through political consultation on the basis of relevant resolutions of the United Nations and the principle of "land for peace."

Kong said bilateral negotiations between Syria and Israel and between Lebanon and Israel, are also important parts of the Middle East peace progress, and the Chinese side hopes the two negotiations will be resumed as early as possible which will help realize a long-term peace for the Middle East.

(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2004)