Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert left here on Thursday evening, concluding a three-day official visit to China.

During Olmert's visit, the first since he took office last May, Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao met or held talks with him on China-Israel relations, regional and international issues of common concern.

During the meeting with Hu, Olmert expressed his appreciation of China's effort in promoting the peace process in the Middle East, hoping China could continue to play a role in this regard.

In talks with his Chinese counterpart Wen, Olmert said Israel is willing to resolve the Middle East issue through peaceful negotiations, and his country will expand trade and cooperation in technological research and development with China.

Olmert also attended a series of activities marking the 15th anniversary of the establishment of China-Israel diplomatic ties, including visits to a China-Israel demonstration dairy farm in the eastern suburbs of Beijing and Olympic venue construction sites.

As a son of a former Jewish resident in China, Olmert said he had a spiritual tie with the Asian country.

"This is a very exciting moment for me and I wish my parents were alive to see that we have come back to the place my family came from to strengthen relations between two great countries and two great nations," Olmert said during his talks with Wen.

Source: Xinhua