Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the latter's request on the sidelines of the Seventh Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Thursday.
Herzog said the Jewish and Chinese peoples have a long history of exchanges. The two peoples helped each other during the World Anti-Fascist War, forging a friendship that has become a memorable chapter in history.
Israel firmly adheres to the one-China policy and is committed to advancing friendly relations with China, he said. Israel is willing to take the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year as an opportunity to expand exchanges and cooperation in areas such as science and technology, investment and people-to-people exchanges, he added.
Herzog briefed Wang on Israel's views and position on the situation in the Middle East, saying that Israel seeks peace, not war, but faces threats and challenges to its national security that require a strong response.
China has always been an important constructive force in promoting peace in the world and the region, Herzog said. Israel attaches importance to the relevant initiatives and proposals put forward by China, appreciates China's efforts to promote regional peace and stability, and stands ready to maintain communication with China, he added.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that during World War II, both the Chinese and Israeli peoples suffered greatly from the ravages of war and extended a helping hand to each other in times of hardship, giving rise to many moving stories.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations more than 30 years ago, bilateral relations have developed steadily, and practical cooperation has yielded positive results, Wang said, adding that the key lies in upholding mutual respect, treating each other as equals and pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation.
Next year will mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Israel and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of their innovative comprehensive partnership, he noted. China stands ready to work with Israel to take the anniversaries as an opportunity to review experience, advance cooperation and consolidate the foundation of public support for bilateral relations, Wang said.
Wang said promoting peace and reconciliation in the region is the cornerstone of China's Middle East policy. China has consistently maintained that the Palestinian question is the greatest historical injustice of this century and that the two-state solution is the right way to resolve the question.
The situation in the region remains tense, while peace and tranquility are still a long way to go, Wang said, adding that the top priority at present is to open full access to the Gaza Strip. The 2 million civilians there must not be left struggling on the brink of survival, nor should the humanitarian catastrophe be allowed to continue spreading; Israel should halt and reverse the forced establishment of settlements in the West Bank, he added.
Wang stressed that since the beginning of this year, President Xi Jinping has put forward a series of initiatives and proposals to promote peace and security in the Middle East, which are public goods that China has provided to the Middle East and the world.
China stands ready to work with the international community to uphold and practice the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security; encourage all parties to return to the track of dialogue and consultation as soon as possible; and seek political solutions to conflicts, Wang said.
Wang said Herzog's father, former Israeli President Chaim Herzog, promoted the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Israel during his presidency and was the first Israeli president to visit China.
The elder Herzog wrote in his memoir that compromises and negotiations do not always result in losing something but often bring about important gains and long-term trust. These words remain relevant and instructive under the current circumstances, Wang said.
The Palestinian question is the root cause of the Middle East issue, Wang noted, adding that both the Jewish and Palestinian peoples have the right to live in peace and establish independent states.
China believes that as long as all parties remain committed to and maintain their resolve to pursue peace, seek a path to peace by moving toward each other, and stay on the right course of the two-state solution, the peace that people have long yearned for will eventually come, Wang said.