China and Palestine should strengthen cooperation on trade, economy and technology, Premier Wen Jiabao said in Beijing Wednesday.  

Wen made the remark during a meeting with visiting Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the Great Hall of the People.

Noting that the completion of a number of infrastructure projects that China helped build in Palestine has produced good social and economic benefits in the country, Wen said the two governments should continue to enhance economic cooperation by earnestly carrying out a series of agreements on trade, economic and technological cooperation.

Wen said the two countries should expand cooperation on human resources development and training. He said China is ready to train more professionals for Palestine in the future.

The Chinese premier also called for scaling up people-to-people business exchanges between China and Palestine, saying the two countries should encourage closer trade and economic links among the people through the China-Palestine Cooperation Forum and other mechanism.

Wen spoke highly of the active effort that Abbas has made to push forward peace talks between Palestine and Israel. He said China is willing to play a constructive role in promoting the peace process of the Middle East.

Abbas said Palestine will unswervingly seek the resolution of the Palestine-Israel issue through negotiations and carry out the "road map" plan to push forward the Middle East peace process.

Wen also made highly positive comments on Sino-Palestinian relations. He said over the past five decades and more, China and Palestine have maintained a strong and unbreakable friendship despite major changes in regional and international situations.

China is ready to join efforts with Palestine to continuously push forward relations between the two countries, Wen said.

Abbas said that the Palestinian people treasure their traditional friendship with China. He thanked China for its long-term support and assistance to Palestine, saying that the two countries should reinforce trade and economic cooperation and carry out cooperative projects. He also welcomes Chinese companies to invest in Palestine.

(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2005)