Chinese President Jiang Zemin Tuesday voiced China's support of Arabian countries in their efforts to retake lost territory and of the Palestinians in their endeavor to restore their legitimate national interests.
During his meeting with visiting King Mohammed VI of Morocco, Jiang said that the key to the Middle East problem is the rational resolution of the Palestinian issue, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.
The legitimate national rights of the Palestinians should be restored and the Arabian land occupied by Israel must be returned, he said.
He also stressed the importance of the principle of "land for peace."
The spokeswoman quoted the King as saying he hoped China would play an active role in urging the parties concerned to find a resolution to the current deadlock and resume the peace talks at an early date.
Jiang promised the King that China stands willing to strengthen consultations with Arabian countries, including Morocco, to work for the resolution of the Middle East issue.
The spokeswoman said that Jiang spoke highly of the "constructive and unique'' role of Morocco in maintaining stability in the Middle East and promoting the peace process in the region.
The Morocco King arrived in Beijing Tuesday for his first visit to China in his current capacity. Accompanied by a large entourage including government officials and entrepreneurs, the King said that his country will work with his host country to enhance cooperation in various fields.
According to the spokeswoman, Jiang suggested that in an effort to promote bilateral relations, the two countries should cultivate long-term and stable cooperation oriented towards the future.
He added that China and Morocco should forge ahead with mutually-beneficial cooperation and enhance coordination and consultations to safeguard the interests of developing countries and maintain world peace.
Concerning trade and economic ties, Jiang told his guests that China has all along attached great importance to cooperation with Morocco.
Hailing the expanded economic cooperation in recent years, Jiang said that China will do more to promote bilateral trade and economic cooperation on the basis of equality and reciprocity to achieve common development.
In the latest effort to carry out the leaders' pledges to develop bilateral relations, the two countries Tuesday signed four agreements and an exchange of letters for cooperation in the fields of economics, public health, professional training and environmental protection.
(China Daily February 5, 2002)
