At a press conference, the Chinese envoy said Middle East peace is not only in the interests of the people in the region, but will also benefit world peace and stability.

China, as a permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, pays great attention to the situation in the region, Wang added.

The envoy, who arrived in Jerusalem yesterday morning local time for a three-day visit to Israel and Palestine, said China opposes all violence against innocent civilians and hopes the two sides solve their conflict peacefully on the basis of the principles of "land for peace."

Israel and Palestine are the last legs of Wang's Middle East mission, which also took him to Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.

Wang is scheduled to meet Palestinian National Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat in Ramallah today and hold talks with Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and other officials tomorrow in Tel Aviv.

Wang said he will convey to the Israeli side the strong desire of the Arab countries for peace, which was expressed by the Arab side during his visit.

Answering questions on the Iraqi issue, the Chinese envoy called on the Iraqi Government to accept the UN resolution 1441.

He said China holds that the Iraqi issue should be solved within the UN framework through peaceful means.

The senior China diplomat also met with US and Russian envoys to the Middle East in Tel Aviv yesterday afternoon.

During his meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah II on Monday, Wang said China is willing to strengthen its cooperation and co-ordination with Arab countries and the rest of the international community to promote the Middle East peace process.

Wang said China valued the special role of Jordan as a major peace broker in the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts.

Abdullah said Jordan welcomed China's decision to send a special envoy to the region and appreciated China's Middle East policy. The kingdom is willing to further develop friendly and cooperative ties with Beijing, the king stressed.

(China Daily November 13, 2002)