Q: What's your comment on President Bush's remarks on the Palestinian and Israeli question after he met with the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon?

A: We have noted President Bush's relevant remarks. 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. The Palestine issue is the core of the Middle East question. Issues such as Palestine's territory, refugees and borders all bear upon Palestine's final status and are important and sensitive. All these issues should be properly resolved through political talks on the basis of the relevant resolutions of the United Nations and the principle of "land for peace". The bilateral negotiations between Syria and Israel and between Lebanon and Israel are also important parts of the Middle East peace process. To resume the two negotiations as early as possible will help realize all-round lasting peace for the Middle East.