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President Jiang on Middle East Peace Process
China believes that based on relevant UN resolutions and the land-for-peace principle, flexible and practical attitude in negotiations and earnest implementation of agreements reached will overcome difficulties and obstacles and push forward Middle East peace talks.
Chinese President Jiang Zemin made the remarks in talks with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, who arrived in Beijing this morning for a working visit, in the seaside resort of Beidaihe, about 300 kilometers east of Beijing.
"We hope that the Israeli government will implement relevant UN resolutions concerning the Middle East issue and agreements reached with Palestine, and engage in sincere and practical negotiations with the Palestinian side," Jiang said.
He said he believes that as long as Palestine pursues peace, adopting flexible tactics and getting support from the international community, especially the Arab nations, the Palestinian people will certainly fulfill the objective of restoring their legal national rights and interests.
Arafat said he was delighted to come to China to meet President Jiang, and informed Jiang of Palestinian-Israeli peace talks and Palestine's position.
"We are concerned about the Middle East peace process, especially final negotiations," Jiang said, adding that China has deeply regretted that the recent Camp David talks failed to reach an agreement.
"My visit to Palestine and Israel in April this year has enabled me to have a deeper understanding of the complexity and sensitivity of the Middle East," Jiang said, adding that the current negotiations touch upon a series of major issues, including the sovereignty of Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees, border issue and Jewish settlements.
"It goes without saying that there are difficulties and even twists and turns in the negotiations," he said.
"I have taken note of your recent viewpoints. You stick to your principles, and try very hard to win the sympathy and support from the international community, and continue to take the path of pursuing peace talks. I appreciate all this," Jiang said.
Jiang also expressed gratitude for the warm reception that President Arafat and the Palestinian people gave him during his April visit.
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