Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met Tuesday with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert separately on the sidelines of the Mideast peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland.

Yang told Abbas that the China-Palestine relation is solid and the Chinese government has been continuously supporting the righteous course of the Palestinians.

He noted that as an important Mideast peace meeting since the Madrid Conference, the one-day Annapolis event is expected to help solidify the forces of peace within Israel and Palestine, as well as help to build international consensus and push forward the peace process.

Yang said the Palestinian problem is the center piece of the Mideast problem and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is the righteous wish of the Palestinian people.

He said China will continue to support the peace process and work with the international community on the issue.

Abbas said the Palestinian side attaches great importance to China's fair and constructive role in the peace process and is willing to keep in touch closely with China on the issue.

During the meeting with Olmert, Yang said he appreciated Israel's efforts to launch the peace negotiations.

The minister also met with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier on the same day. 　

(Xinhua News Agency November 28, 2007)