China said on Tuesday it supports a Palestinian bid for United Nations member status.

China "respects, understands and supports" Palestine's bid later this month, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said at a press briefing held on Wednesday.

Jiang's comments came days after Palestine confirmed that its leader Mahmud Abbas is due to present a bid for full UN membership before the UN General Assembly on September 20.

Jiang said China also supports Palestine's desire to strike a balance between establishing itself and seeking peaceful resolutions to the conflicts.

Jiang underscored China's support for the Palestinian people's efforts to regain their legitimate rights. She said that seeking an independent statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people, which can create a foundation for peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel and help create lasting peace and security in the Middle East.

China recognizes Palestine as a country with east Jerusalem as its capital and possessing full sovereignty and independence, in accordance with borders agreed upon in 1967, according to Jiang.

(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2011)