During a meeting in Tel Aviv with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Tuesday, visiting Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said the Israelis and Palestinians should seize the opportunity to resume peace talks and resolve disputes according to the roadmap to peace, related UN resolutions and the principle of "land for peace."

The peace plan, drafted in June 2003 by the US, UN, EU and Russia, never got off the ground.

Sharon said the Israeli government hopes to strengthen cooperation with China, since developing ties with such a decisive force in the world serves the interests of the Jewish state.

On Monday, Tang met with Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah, saying that China will continue to play a role in creating long-term peace in the Middle East. He also conveyed a message of appreciation from President Hu Jintao and Hu's wishes for an orderly election.

At a joint news conference with Abbas following their meeting, Tang said China hopes the UN Security Council can play a constructive role in the Middle East peace process and urges the international community to exert every possible effort to ensure a smooth Palestinian presidential election on January 9.

Abbas expressed optimism about making peace with Israel.

Tang is heading a delegation arriving in Ramallah earlier on Monday as part of China's efforts to push forward the Middle East peace process as well as to exchange views on the further development of bilateral relations with Israel and Palestine.

(CRI.com, China.org.cn December 29, 2004)