FM urges Israel, Palestine to peace talks

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-04-24 10:30

JERUSALEM -- Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Thursday urged the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian talks to spur the Middle East peace process.

"We call upon all parties involved in the issue to work together to pave the way for the resumption of the Israeli-Palestinian talks and push forward the Middle East peace process," said Yang during his meeting in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

China is ready to provide assistance in a bid to advance the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, said the top Chinese diplomat, noting that China hopes to play a constructive role in the resolution of the Middle East issue.

During the meeting, Netanyahu informed Yang of Israel's stance on the Middle East issue.

The prime minister also said the Israeli government attaches great importance to its relations with China, saying that the Jewish state is ready to expand mutual beneficial cooperation and achieve common development.

Yang said in recent years the Sino-Israeli relations have been developing rapidly and economic cooperation between the two countries has been strengthening.

Facing the international financial crisis, China and Israel should work together to push forward their relations of mutual benefit and cooperation, added the Chinese foreign minister.

Earlier on Thursday, Yang met in Jerusalem with Israeli President Shimon Peres. The two sides agreed to continue cooperation in various sectors to boost bilateral ties and exchanged views on the Middle East issue.

Yang is currently on a five-leg visit, which has taken him to Egypt and the Palestinian territories. He will also visit Syria and Russia.