Chinese president vows to take constructive approach to Mideast issue

Chinese President Hu Jintao said on Thursday that China will continue to play a constructive role on the Middle East issue.

"China will work with the international community and take a constructive approach to solving the Middle East issue in an all-round, impartial, long-term manner," said Hu in a meeting with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Hu urged the parties concerned to make concerted efforts for an early solution to the Middle East issue based on relevant UN resolutions and the principle of "land-for-peace".

The early solution of the Middle East issue is the common aspiration of the people in the region and the international community, Hu added.

Olmert expressed his appreciation of China's stance of fairness in promoting the peace process in the Middle East, hoping China could continue to play a role in this regard.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the founding of diplomatic relations between China and Israel, and Hu and Olmert spoke positively of the development of bilateral relations.

Hu said he hopes the two countries could further their relations following their cooperation in such fields as trade, technology, agriculture, culture and education.

Olmert echoed Hu's views, saying his country is willing to further relations with China and cooperate in trade and economy, technology, research and development, information, agriculture, irrigation and culture.

As Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's guest, Olmert, son of a former Jewish resident in China, started his first official visit to China Tuesday, a country with which he feels a close spiritual link.