Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met in Annapolis on Tuesday
with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to exchange views on
bilateral ties and the Middle East peace process.
Yang, who flew in to attend an international Middle East peace
conference held in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday, said that China
and Israel witness a rapid development of friendly cooperation in
various fields such as politics, economy and trade, science and
technology, and education on the occasion of the 15th anniversary
of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two
countries.
The Chinese side, he said, will work with the Israeli side to
earnestly implement important consensus reached between leaders of
the two sides to enhance political dialogues, expand trade, and
deepen cooperation in such fields as agriculture and high
technologies to elevate bilateral ties to a new high.
On the Middle East issue, the Chinese minister said the
Annapolis conference marked a new phase of negotiations between
Israelis and the Palestinians.
He said China hopes that both sides would seize the opportunity
to speed up negotiations on the final status issues for a properly
settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
China also hopes to see an early resumption of talks on the
Israel-Syria and Israel-Lebanon tracks for a comprehensive solution
of issues in the region at an earlier date, he added.
As a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and a friend
both for Israelis and Arabs, Yang said, China will as always
support and actively engage in the international peace efforts and
will play a constructive role in pushing for a comprehensive, just
and lasting peace in the Middle East.
Olmert, who is also in Annapolis to attend the Annapolis
Conference, said Israel and China enjoy a traditional friendship
and witness a smooth development of bilateral ties since the
establishment of diplomatic ties.
He said Israel favors a strong relationship with China and will
be committed to close cooperation of mutual benefits between the
two countries.
The prime minister said that Israel attaches great importance to
China's role in the Middle East peace process and is willing to
enhance communications and coordination with China in this
respect.
(Xinhua News Agency November 29, 2007)
