Israeli President Moshe Katsav and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met with State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan respectively on December 28, 2004.

Israeli leaders noted that China exerts a vital influence on today's international affairs. To develop relations with China fully conforms to the national interests of Israel. The Israeli government will try its best to enhance mutually-beneficial cooperation with China in various fields.

Tang Jiaxuan said that China-Israel relations are faced with wonderful opportunities for accelerated development. It complies with the fundamental interests of both countries and peoples to expand and deepen friendly cooperation in various fields. China would like to work with Israel to make full use the complementary advantages in the economic field between the two countries and actively conduct various forms of cooperation so as to bring tangible benefits to both peoples.

The two sides mainly exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East. Tang Jiaxuan pointed out positive changes have been witnessed in the Middle East situation recently. Both Palestine and Israel have demonstrated the will to resume peace talks and the international community is starting active intermediation efforts. China sincerely hopes that Palestine and Israel can seize the precious opportunity, resume peace talks and gradually resolve their disputes on the basis of relevant UN resolutions and the principle of "land for peace". China supports the "roadmap" plan aimed at realizing peace in the Middle East and hopes both sides can simultaneously fulfill their obligations and responsibilities so that both peoples can enjoy the result of the peace talks and ultimately realize good neighborliness. As a permanent member of the Security Council, China would like to continue its constructive role in the Middle East peace process.

Tang Jiaxuan also met with Chairman Shimon Peres of the Labor Party of Israel, Israeli Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade as well as Minister of Tourism. He delivered a speech at the luncheon of Israel-China Relations Promotion Conference and placed a wreath to the monument in honor of Yitzhak Rabin.