China urges Hamas to renounce violence

BEIJING, May 30 (Reuters) China today urged the Islamic militant group Hamas to renounce violence ahead of a visit to Beijing by its foreign minister, a trip that Israel has condemned as obstructive to peace in the West Asua.

Hamas Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahar is to attend a Sino-Arab forum in Beijing that opens on Wednesday and will meet his Chinese counterpart, Li Zhaoxing.

''China does not favour political isolation and economic blockade. But at the same time we urge Hamas to renounce violence, recognise Israel and accept agreements already reached,'' Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told a news conference.

''We will take the opportunity of the visit of Foreign Minister Zahar to explain our principled position.'' Hamas, which was elected to power in January, is sworn to Israel's destruction and is considered a terrorist group by the United States, the European Union and Israel.

They have severed ties with the Palestinian government and cut off hundreds of millions of dollars in aid.

The invitation to Hamas to attend the forum prompted Israel to summon China's ambassador in protest and charge that it was an obstacle to peace.

But Liu said China's position was that parties should have contact in order to resolve their disputes.

REUTERS SY VC1658