Abbas, Chinese FM mull Mideast peace process

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing reviewed on June 20 the latest developments in the Palestinian territories and ongoing international efforts to push forward the Middle East peace process.

Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas (R) meets with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in the West Bank city of Ramallah June 20, 2005.

During the meeting, Li Zhaoxing said his visit is part of the Chinese-Palestinian consultations and coordination to strengthen the consensus reached during President 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 Zhaoxing 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 Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon would be a success.

Li arrived in Ramallah on Monday as part of a Middle East tour which has taken him to Jordan and Israel, and will take him to Syria and Lebanon.

Source: Xinhua