China has maintained good relations with all nations in the Middle East including Israel and will contribute to peace in the region, said Israeli President Moshe Katsav in Beijing Thursday.  

Katsav said at the China Agricultural University (CAU) that both Israel and China had rich ancient cultures and had made great contributions to civilization.

"China offered asylum to Jews in Shanghai during World War II," said Katsav.

"We are hoping for cooperation, understanding, friendship with our neighbors, for development and construction for all the nations in the Mideast instead of destruction, bloodshed and suffering," said Katsav.

Israelis and Palestinians shared common interests, said Katsav, adding that Israel was determined in its desire for peace.

Before the speech, Katsav was awarded an honorary doctorate. "We should enhance cooperation in science and technology and agriculture," said the president.

After his speech, Katsav visited the jointly-sponsored Chinese-Israeli International Center for Training in Agriculture in CAU.

Katsav visited a demonstration dairy farm on Wednesday, the second agricultural demonstration unit jointly operated by the two countries on the outskirts of Beijing.

Katsav arrived in Beijing Tuesday to continue his state visit to China after a three-day visit to Hong Kong.

(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2003)