Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met in Annapolis on Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to exchange views on bilateral ties and the Middle East peace process.

Yang, who flew in to attend an international Middle East peace conference held in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday, said that China and Israel witness a rapid development of friendly cooperation in various fields such as politics, economy and trade, science and technology, and education on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The Chinese side, he said, will work with the Israeli side to earnestly implement important consensus reached between leaders of the two sides to enhance political dialogues, expand trade, and deepen cooperation in such fields as agriculture and high technologies to elevate bilateral ties to a new high.

On the Middle East issue, the Chinese minister said the Annapolis conference marked a new phase of negotiations between Israelis and the Palestinians.

He said China hopes that both sides would seize the opportunity to speed up negotiations on the final status issues for a properly settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

China also hopes to see an early resumption of talks on the Israel-Syria and Israel-Lebanon tracks for a comprehensive solution of issues in the region at an earlier date, he added.

As a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and a friend both for Israelis and Arabs, Yang said, China will as always support and actively engage in the international peace efforts and will play a constructive role in pushing for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Olmert, who is also in Annapolis to attend the Annapolis Conference, said Israel and China enjoy a traditional friendship and witness a smooth development of bilateral ties since the establishment of diplomatic ties.

He said Israel favors a strong relationship with China and will be committed to close cooperation of mutual benefits between the two countries.

The prime minister said that Israel attaches great importance to China's role in the Middle East peace process and is willing to enhance communications and coordination with China in this respect.

(Xinhua News Agency November 29, 2007)