On December 29 2004, State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan received an interview by Chinese journalists before wrapping up his visit to Palestine and Israel.

Tang Jiaxuan said that he has explained China's views and propositions on the Middle East issue to Palestine and Israel when he met with the leaders of both sides. The proposals can be summed up as follows:

I. Building Mutual Trust and Resume Peace Talks. Under the current situation, Israel and Palestine should stop violence and conflicts, especially the military activities against civilians. A free and smooth election in Palestine should be ensured; the role and position of the elected government of Palestine should be respected; the humanitarian situation in Palestine should be improved; measures should be taken to build mutual trust and resume peace talks.

II. Re-launching Roadmap Plan and Creating an Independent State of Palestine. The Middle East roadmap peace plan is a feasible solution to the present Middle East issue. On the basis of related UN resolutions and the principle of "land for peace", both sides should fulfill their obligations prescribed in the roadmap. The legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people should be respected and an independent state of Palestine should be founded with the security of Israel guaranteed at the same time.

III. Actively Seeking for Comprehensive and Long-Term Peace in the Middle East. As an important part of the peace process in the Middle East, Syria-Israel and Lebanon-Israel negotiations should be resumed as soon as possible. With the advancement of the peace process in the Middle East, the economic cooperation between the countries in the region should be strengthened to promote the economic prosperity, peace and stability of the region and achieve the harmony between the Arabic and Jewish people.

IV. Intensifying Peace Promotion Efforts of the International Community. While voicing strong call for peace, the international community should take effective measures to ensure the election and support the economic reconstruction in Palestine so as to create conditions for the resumption of peace talks. China supports the United Nations, especially the Security Council, to play a bigger role including in the process of organizing international meetings on the Middle East issue to render broader international support for the peace process in the region. China will, as always, actively participate in the international peace promotion efforts and play a constructive role.