Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing, on a tour of the Middle East, had meetings with both
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian National
Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas yesterday.
Sharon told Li that Israel attaches great importance to its
relations with China and hopes they will strengthen cooperation in
economy and trade, agriculture, education and culture.
He also praised the influence of China in promoting the Middle
East peace process.
Li said China was pleased about their good relations, and that
he appreciated efforts made by Sharon to improve bilateral
cooperation.
Later in Ramallah, Abbas and Li reviewed latest developments in
the Palestinian territories and ongoing international efforts in
the Middle East peace process.
Li said his visit aimed to strengthen the consensus reached
during Abbas' visit to China in May.
They agreed on the necessity of making joint efforts to enhance
Chinese-Palestinian cooperation in various fields, and Li voiced
hope for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace and prosperity for
the Palestinian people.
He told both Sharon and Abbas that he hoped their meeting on
Tuesday would bear fruit.
Having already visited Jordan, Li arrived in Israel on Sunday
and will also go to Syria and Lebanon.
(Xinhua News Agency June 21, 2005)
