China on Tuesday welcomed the new Palestinian unity government which was sworn in on Monday in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

"We believe Palestine's internal reconciliation will strengthen the solidarity of the Palestinian people, and promote the founding of an independent state for Palestinians and peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei.

Rival Palestinian factions the Islamic Hamas movement and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Fatah Party on Monday ended more than seven years of division and formed an interim unity government.

"China believes peaceful negotiation is the only way to realize Palestine-Israel peace," said the spokesman at a routine press briefing.

He hoped both Israel and Palestine get over their difficulties and resume talks. Hong called for the international community to encourage and support this end.

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