China Urges Japan to Repair Ties

China was shocked by Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara's recent comments, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu on October 19.

Maehara had said China's countermeasures to Japan's detention of a Chinese trawler captain in waters off the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea in September were "hysterical."

Ma said it is in the fundamental interests of both countries to improve and develop bilateral relations, but Japanese diplomatic leaders' recent remarks run counter to that.

Ma called on Japan to take practical and sincere steps to improve Sino-Japanese relations, so as to increase chances for a successful leaders' meeting.

Around 1,000 Japanese young people visited China in mid-October. Ma stressed that China would work with Japan to increase visits between the two peoples—particularly among young people—so as to deepen mutual understanding and lay a solid social foundation for bilateral relations.

China Regrets Israel's New Settlement Plan

China expressed regret over Israel's plan to build new housing units in East Jerusalem, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu on October 19.

Israel issued tenders for 238 new housing units for Jewish settlers in East Jerusalem in mid-October. The Palestinian side said this move shut the door on direct negotiations between the two sides.

Israelis and Palestinians resumed direct negotiations on September 2 in the United States. But the talks were halted after Israel failed to extend a 10-month moratorium on West Bank settlement construction, which expired on September 26.

China is deeply concerned about the ongoing stalemate in the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, and feels regret over the possible end of direct negotiations. China hopes Israel will take responsible and careful action to create conditions for pushing the peace talks forward, said Ma.