From Dec. 6 to 8, 2006, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun paid a successful visit to Israel. During the visit, Zhai met respectively with Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres, Israeli Foreign Ministry Director-General Aharon Abramovitch, Deputy Director-General in charge of Asia-Pacific affairs Amos Nadai and the Chairman of Israel-China friendship committee of Israeli Parliament, exchanging in-depth views with them on bilateral ties and the Middle East issue.

Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun Meets with Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres

During the meeting, Zhai said China pays close attention to the Middle East issue and upholds its solution through negotiations based on relevant UN resolutions and the principle of "land for peace". China welcomes a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine and hopes they will take the opportunity to rebuild mutual trust and resume peace talks at the earliest date possible, he said. Meanwhile China stands for an early resumption of Israel's peace talks with Syria and Lebanon in a bid to comprehensively resolve the Middle East issue, Zhai added.

Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun presents a gift to the Israeli Foreign Ministry Director-General

The Israeli side appreciated China's positive role in the Middle East issue, expressing willingness to create conditions for a final resolution of the issue through closer economic cooperation among countries in the region.