The Chinese special envoy on the Middle East issue Sun Bigan reiterated on Sunday in a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that the Chinese government is ready to contribute to the reconstruction of the Palestinian Gaza Strip and the Middle East peace process.

Sun, who will represent China at Monday's international donors' conference on the reconstruction of Gaza, to be held in the Egyptian Red Sea resort Sharm El-Sheikh, said that China has been actively taking part in the joint international efforts in supporting Gaza's reconstruction.

"China is ready to make its due contribution to Gaza's reconstruction and the Palestinian-Israeli peace process," he noted.

He told Abbas that China appreciates and supports Abbas' continuous efforts in realizing Palestinian-Israeli peace and safeguarding inter-Palestinian unity.

Abbas expressed his appreciation of China's attendance of the conference, saying the Palestinian side will forever remember the sincere help China has given since long.

He also briefed Sun on the latest development of the Middle East issue.

Officials and representatives from more than 70 countries and organizations will attend Monday's conference to donate for the reconstruction of the besieged Gaza Strip which had been under a 22-day massive Israeli offensive that killed more than 1,400 Palestinians and destroyed over 14,000 homes, 68 government buildings and 31 offices of non-governmental organizations.

(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2009)