Visiting Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leaders Monday.
In Jerusalem, Li and Sharon expressed their willingness to improve bilateral ties.
During their meeting, Sharon said Israel attaches great importance to its relations with China and hoped that the two countries will strengthen cooperation in various fields such as economy and trade, agriculture, education and culture.
Sharon praised the influence exerted by China to promote the Middle East peace process.
Li said China is satisfied with the good relations between the two countries, saying he appreciates the efforts made by Sharon to improve bilateral cooperation.
Li and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reviewed in Ramallah the latest developments in the Palestinian territories and ongoing international efforts to push forward the Middle East peace process.
During the meeting, Li said his visit is part of the Chinese-Palestinian consultations and coordination to strengthen the consensus reached during Abbas' visit to China in May.
The two agreed on the necessity of making joint efforts to enhance the Chinese-Palestinian cooperation in various fields.
Meanwhile, Li voiced hope for establishing a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East and achieving prosperity for the Palestinian people.
He also said he wishes Tuesday's summit between Abbas and Sharon would be a success.
While talking with Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei, Li said the peoples of China and Palestine share long-standing friendship and understanding.
He said China backs the political efforts by the Palestinian leaders toward peace in the Middle East.
Qurei briefed Li about the latest moves in the Middle East peace process.
Li also paid respects beside the tomb of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
(Xinhua News Agency, China Daily June 21, 2005)
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