Q: Could you brief us about the recent activities in Israel and Palestine of China’s Special Envoy to the Middle East? What has he elaborated to the Israeli and Palestinian leaders on the Middle East issue?

A: China’s Special Envoy to the Middle East Wang Shijie recently visited Israel and Palestine, and respectively met with Israeli Foreign Minister Shalom, President Arafat of the Palestinian National Authority, Prime Minister Abbas and Foreign Minister Sha’ath for exchanges of views on the current Middle East situation and the “road map”.

Mr. Wang expressed his hope that Israel and Palestine will seize the favorable opportunity of the presentation of the “road map”, take concrete measures to cooperate with the international peace-making efforts for an early settlement of the Palestinian issue under the principles of frankness, consultation on an equal footing, mutual accommodation and understanding, and dealing with the easier problems first. Mr. Wang called upon the international community to intensify its concern and devotion to the Middle East issue and set up a fair, authoritative and effective international supervisory mechanism as soon as possible. He also proposed for an international meeting on the peace in the Middle East participated by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and relevant sides to be held as soon as possible.

During his visit, Mr. Wang also met with Mr. Moratinos, the European Union’s Special Envoy to the Middle East. Both sides expressed their wishes to strengthen their consultation and coordination on the Middle East question.