On January 10, 2007, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at the Great Hall of the People, exchanging views on bilateral ties and issues of common interest.

Wen said both Chinese and Israelis are industrious and wise peoples and the two nations share a time-honored history of exchanges. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, bilateral relations have made great progress, he said. China, which attaches great importance to developing ties with Israel, always upholds the development of its friendly cooperation with Israel in the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefits and non-interference in each other's internal affairs and always gives top priority to bringing benefits to the two peoples and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East region, Wen said. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Wen said. He hoped both sides will take the opportunity to further advance bilateral cooperation in all areas, keep closer high-level contacts for deepened political trust, and improve the diplomatic consultation mechanism so as to exchange views in a timely manner on bilateral ties and major international issues. Wen proposed that the two countries should deepen scientific and technological cooperation, especially in the mutual investment, information technology, agriculture, life science and energy sectors. He also urged both sides to expand humanities exchanges to build up mutual understanding and friendship.

Olmert said he felt very much honored to visit China on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. He agreed that closer friendly cooperation with China as a great country is of great significance to peace and stability in the Middle East region. Israel will expand trade exchanges and cooperation in technological research and development with China, as well as contacts in the areas of culture, education, media and tourism, in a bid to push bilateral ties to a new high, he said.

Wen said the Middle East conflict that is dragging on has brought tremendous disasters to the people in this region and also exerted an impact on world peace and stability. "History and reality have proven that force cannot settle the Middle East issue but only increase estrangement and animosity," Wen said. Wen said China sees the Palestinian issue as the core of the Middle East issue, and China supports the achievement by Israel and Palestine of peaceful co-existence of "two nations and two countries" for common development. China hopes Israel, Syria and Lebanon will take concrete measures to build mutual trust and create conditions for the resumption of peace talks, he said. "China is ready to contribute to dialogue between the Arab world and Israel and the Middle East peace process," Wen said.

Israel is ready to solve the Middle East issue through peaceful negotiations based on the peaceful co-existence of the "two countries", Olmert added. Olmert appreciated China's efforts over the years in promoting the Middle East peace process. He also pledged to keep contacts with China on this matter.

On the Iranian nuclear issue, Wen reiterated China's opposition to nuclear-proliferation and its support for the maintenance of the international non-proliferation system. "Resolution 1737 adopted unanimously by the UN Security Council members reflects the concerns of the international community about the Iranian nuclear issue", Wen said, calling for the international community to continue diplomatic efforts to promote an early resumption of negotiations for a peaceful solution of the issue. "China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting the proper settlement of the issue", Wen noted.

Following the talks, the two leaders jointly attended a signing ceremony of several documents on bilateral cooperation in culture, plant quarantine and other areas.

Prior to the talks, Wen hosted a welcoming ceremony for Olmert's China visit at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Vice-Chairman He Keng of the Central Committee of the Jiusan Society, Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai, Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo, Chinese Ambassador to Israel Chen Yonglong and other officials attended the ceremony.