China joins world condemnation of East Jerusalem building plan

China's Foreign Ministry on Thursday added to a chorus of American, European and Palestinian demands that Israel halt construction in East Jerusalem, days after Israel announced plans to build 900 new homes in the neighborhood of Gilo. "We urge the Israeli side to take concrete measures to restore Palestine-Israel mutual trust and create favorable conditions for the early resumption of talks between them," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a regular briefing, echoing U.S. President Barack Obama's concern that the construction poses new obstacles to the Middle East peace process. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, however, said Wednesday that he did not believe the plan would hinder peace talks. Kouchner's remarks came after Obama said the plan would complicate efforts by his administration to relaunch peace talks and embitter the Palestinians.