国内英语新闻:China welcomes Cyprus reunification talks

BEIJING, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- China welcomed the reunification talks between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, pledging support for peaceful efforts in settling the conflict in Cyprus, on Wednesday.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the relaunching of peace talks, held on Tuesday at the United Nations Protected Area in the Mediterranean island country's capital, Nicosia, was "positive progress."

China appreciates the efforts from the United Nations (UN) and the international community, and supports a fair and reasonable resolving of the tensions based on UN resolutions, Hua told a regular press briefing.

China holds that any resolution should conform with the interests of Greek and Turkish Cypriots, according to the spokeswoman.

She called on the two sides to grasp opportunities, narrow down differences via negotiations and seek resolutions acceptable to both sides.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China will continue to play a positive role on the issue, Hua vowed.

A joint statement was released after the talks between Greek Cypriot leader and Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.

The talks, focusing on reuniting the island as a federation, were originally scheduled to restart in October 2013, but were put off due to differences on the wording of a joint statement.

The peace talks have repeatedly stumbled on core issues like the distribution of power, redrawing territorial boundaries and guaranteeing property rights to tens of thousands uprooted by the conflict.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 after a Turkish intervention which followed a coup by Greek army officers.