BEIJING, July 15 -- China on Tuesday expressed deep concern about the conflict between Palestine and Israel, urging both sides to achieve a ceasefire immediately.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Ming made the call during his meetings with Palestinian ambassador to China Ahmad A. M. Ramadan and the Charge D'affaires ad Interim of the Israeli Embassy in China, Dana Benvenisti.

Zhang also held a group meeting with ambassadors from a number of Arab states as well as the director of the Office of the Arab League Ghanim Taha Ahmed Al Shibli.

The meetings aim to promote a peaceful settlement regarding the recent developments between Palestine and Israel, according to a press release from the Foreign Ministry.

"China is deeply concerned and worried about the ongoing, continuous conflict between Palestine and Israel, which has led to heavy casualties," Zhang said.

He said China condemns any attack on civilians and believes that the immediate priority is to achieve a ceasefire right away and create conditions for the resumption of peace talks at an early date.

China highly commends the efforts made by Arab countries to promote peace between Palestine and Israel and welcomes the Egyptian initiative for a ceasefire, Zhang said.

China's Special Envoy on Middle East Affairs Wu Sike will start a visit to Palestine, Israel and other regional countries on Wednesday for further mediation.

The diplomats expressed their appreciation of China's position and the role China has played.

Last Tuesday, Israel began Operation Protective Edge in order to stop rocket attacks from Gaza. So far, the strikes have killed at least 167 Palestinians and wounded more than 780, according to reports. The United Nations estimates that about 80 percent of the casualties were civilians.