On July 10, 2003, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held talks with visiting Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath. The two sides exchanged views on China-Palestine relations, recent Middle East situation and other issues of common concern.

Li said that China and Palestine enjoy long-term friendship. President Arafat and several generations of Chinese leaders have established profound friendship, which the Chinese side highly values. It is China?s consistent policy to staunchly support the Palestinian people?s just cause to restore legitimate national rights. In the future, the Chinese people will, as always, stand alongside the Palestinian people?s just cause. The Chinese government will also continue to play an active role in pushing for the settlement of the Palestinian issue.

On the Middle East issue, Li said that since the Roadmap for Middle East peace was unveiled, the Palestinian side has adopted a flexible and pragmatic attitude, and actively coordinates the peace-promoting efforts of the international community. The Chinese side appreciates and supports this. It is hoped that the Palestinian side will continue to strengthen unity, take full use of the current favorable conditions and maintain the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people to the greatest extent. Li pointed out that it is the joint responsibility and obligation of the international community to push for peace and stability in the Middle East region. The international community should pay more attention and invest more in the Middle East issue. The UN should play a bigger role. China would like to work jointly with the rest of the international community for early realization of lasting peace and harmony in the Middle East.

Shaath asked Foreign Minister Li to convey greetings from President Arafat and Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas to Chinese leaders. Shaath briefed Li on the latest developments in the Middle East, appreciated China?s long-term staunch support to the just Palestinian cause, and expressed the hope that China would play a bigger role in the Middle East peace process.