China to expand cooperation with Israel: Chinese FM
20/6/2005 11:33
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said in Jerusalem Sunday
that China is ready to expand dialogue with Israel on a broad spectrum of
bilateral and international issues and strengthen cooperation in various
fields.
In a meeting with his Israeli counterpart Silvan Shalom, Li said
China appreciates the efforts by the Israeli government to develop relations
with China in accordance with the fundamental interests of both sides, which is
also conducive to peace and stability in the Middle East region and the world at
large.
He said China is ready to expand its cooperation with Israel in trade,
agriculture, culture, education, tourism and other fields.
China is making
efforts to double its trade volume with Israel from US$2.5 billion in 2004 to 5
billion in 2008, he added.
He told Shalom that China has listed Israel as one
of the tourist destination countries for Chinese citizens.
Shalom, who is
also deputy prime minister, said China is Israel 's important cooperative
partner. Israel is eager to strengthen exchanges with China in all fields and
deepen understanding and cooperation with China, he said.
The foreign
minister stressed that Israel will firmly stick to its one-China policy.
The
two sides have agreed to mutual exemption of visas for diplomatic and service
passport holders.
On the Middle East situation, the two sides agreed that all
parties concerned should seize the current opportunity to expedite the Middle
East peace process.
Xinhua News
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