Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said in an interview with the Chinese media on Tuesday China attaches importance to the Annapolis conference as it signals the significant effort by the international community to try to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

China welcomes the joint document of understanding between Israel and Palestine released Tuesday morning, Yang said.

Yang said that it is in the basic interests of the Palestinian people, and it is also an important guarantee for a Palestinian state living in peace with Israel as well as Arabs living in peace with Israel, to establish a Palestinian state through negotiations and resolve the final status issue appropriately.

China supports all concerned parties to push forward the Middle East peace process on the basis of "land for peace" principle, the "Roadmap" plan as well as all previous resolutions and deals, Yang said, adding that now is a chance that should not be missed.

China, while enjoying friendly relations with countries in the Middle East region, has committed to establishing comprehensive, long-lasting Middle East peace, Yang said.

China will continue to play a constructive role, to push for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian issue and push forward the Middle East peace process along with the international community, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 28, 2007)