On November 27, 2007, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on the sidelines of the international Mideast peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland.

During the meeting, Yang said that the China and Palestine enjoy a profound traditional friendship. Over the past half a century, the Chinese government and people have been continuously supporting the righteous cause of the Palestinians. China sympathizes with the difficulties faced by the Palestinians and has given sincere support to their righteous cause, said Yang, pledging that China will continue to offer assistance within its available resources to Palestine for its economic growth and improvement of people's livelihood.

Yang noted that as an important Mideast peace meeting since the Madrid Conference, the one-day Annapolis event is expected to help solidify the forces of peace within Israel and Palestine, as well as help to build international consensus and push forward the peace process. Yang said the Palestinian problem is the center piece of the Mideast problem and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is the righteous wish of the Palestinian people. To achieve peaceful coexistence between the two States of Palestine and Israel is a common aspiration of the people in the Middle East and the world at large, he added.

He said China appreciates the important efforts made by the Palestinian side to reopen the peace talks, supports the two sides to hold negotiations on the final status issues including Jerusalem, border and refugees, and hopes that the negotiations will score substantial results at an early date. China will work with the international community to actively implement relevant follow-up actions and push for an early proper solution of the Middle East issue.

Abbas said the Palestinian side thanks for China's long-standing support and assistance to the righteous cause of the Palestinians. He said that this meeting is of great significance with the consensus reached on the launch of the peace negotiations to resolve the Palestine-Israel conflict. The next phase is to step up efforts to translate the consensus reached at the meeting into tangible results. Palestine is ready to hold serious negotiations with Israel, he said, expressing hope that the international community will play its fair and constructive role and continue to offer economic support to Palestine. Abbas emphasized that the Palestinian side attaches great importance to China's fair and positive role in the peace process and is willing to keep in touch closely with China on the issue.

Yang also held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, appreciating Israel's efforts to launch the peace negotiations.

On the same day, the minister also met with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, exchanging views on a couple of issues in bilateral ties, as well as on international and regional situations.