BEIJING – China on Tuesday said that establishment of settlements in theoccupied territory of Palestine, including East Jerusalem was againstinternational law and the United Nations Security Council Resolution andcalls on the US to avoid further complicating this issue.

“According to UN Security Council Resolution 2334, it is againstinternational law to establish settlements in the occupied territory ofPalestine, including East Jerusalem,” Chinese Foreign Ministry’sSpokesperson Geng Shuang said during his regular briefing held here whileresponding to a statement of US Secretary of State in this regard.

He said the settlement is one of the major issues in negotiations betweenPalestine and Israel regarding the ultimate status.

In light of the severe situation between Palestine and Israel, China callson the US to carry out its responsibilities, make constructive efforts andavoid escalating confrontation or further complicating this issue, he added.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on November 18 that theestablishment of Israeli civilian settlements is not inconsistent withinternational law, and that calling the establishment of civiliansettlements inconsistent with international law hasn’t advanced the causeof peace.

Israel welcomed and appreciated those remarks from the US side, while thePalestinian president’s office and the European Union rejected them intheir statements.