On June 16, 2004, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister met with Under Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) Shashi Tharoor, who is here in Beijing to attend the International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East.

Zhang Yesui expressed congratulations on the convening of the seminar in Beijing and expounded the principled stance of the Chinese government on the Middle East Issue, stressing that relevant resolutions of the UN and the principle of "land for peace" are the basis of solving the Middle East issue, and dialogue and negotiations are the only correct way to achieve that goal. The international community, including the UN, and d other civil societies like the media should make greater efforts to promote peace. China remains committed to boosting the peace process in the Middle East.

Mr. Tharoor thanked China for cooperating with the UN in hosting this seminar in Beijing. He highly complimented the righteous stance of the Chinese government on the Middle East issue and the constructive efforts it has made. Mr. Tharoor said that the UN stands ready to enhance coordination and cooperation with China to jointly promote an early and appropriate solution of the Middle East issue.

On the same day, the International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East opened in Beijing. Vice Minister Zhang Yesui attended and addressed the opening ceremony and Mr. Tharoor readout the written speech of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Former UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Gali was also present at the opening ceremony.

The two-day symposium was jointly hosted by the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the UN. A total of about 80 UN officials, international experts and media representatives from all over the world attended the seminar, which is themed "The Role of Civil Societies in the Middle East Issue".