A statement reached by Israeli and Palestinian delegations to a forum in Beijing on Friday called for China to join the Middle East Quartet which groups the United Nations, European Union, the United States and Russia.

The statement was announced after a seminar attended by peace-promoting personages from Israel and Palestine for the peace process in the Middle East.

With a unique status, China can increase its influence in the Middle East and contribute to advancing peace in the region, the statement said.

Israel's Former Minister of Justice Yossi Beilin said China is a country no one can neglect in the world. "That is part of the reason we support China to join the Quartet."

Former Minister of State of the Palestinian National Authority Abdel Kader I.F. Hamed said China is able to help resolve many issues between Palestine and Israel and clear up obstacles in the peace process.

Sun Bigan, China's special envoy on the Middle East issue, said China has done a lot for the Middle East peace process within UN framework and on other international occasions.

"Although China is out of the Quartet mechanism, we have played a constructive role in the Middle East issue with our own influence and manner," Sun said.

The Middle East Quartet put forward the roadmap peace plan in 2003, but the roadmap has not achieved breakthrough with continuing conflicts between Israel and Palestine.

Source: Xinhua