China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, will continue to uphold justice on the Middle East Issue and is ready to play a constructive role in promoting a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the region, visiting Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Yang Wenchang said in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
In his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the Chinese official said China consistently condemns all violence against innocent civilians and insists that resuming talks will be the only way leading to peace.
Yang is the highest Chinese official to visit Israel since the start of Israel-Palestinian conflict in September, 2000. He called on Israel to refrain from taking excessive reactions to the recent suicide bombings in Jerusalem, adding that violence is not the solution.
He said China believes that finding a solution to the Middle East conflict as soon as possible is not only in the interest of the countries in the region, but will also benefit the world peace and development as a whole.
Sharon told the Chinese official that the Israeli government always attaches great importance to its relations with China and his government is willing to expand the friendly and mutual beneficial cooperation with China.
The vice foreign minister said the Chinese government is willing, together with the Israeli side, to promote healthy and stable development of bilateral ties by overcoming all interference and obstacles.
In the meeting, the Israeli Prime Minister briefed the Chinese official on Israel's stand on the current situations in the Middle East, saying that Israel is ready to make efforts to realize a real and lasting peace in the region.
Sharon said he hopes China can play a greater role in the region.
The Chinese vice foreign minister is scheduled to meet Palestinian National Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat in Ramallah on Thursday.
(Xinhua News Agency June 20, 2002)
