Wang discusses Palestine, bilateral ties with Israeli alternate prime minister, FM

China supports all efforts conducive to realize peace in the Middle East and stands ready to provide convenience for direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a telephone call with Israel's alternate prime minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on Wednesday.

Wang said China is delighted to see Israel establish and develop friendly relations with countries in the region, which should be a part of whole reconciliation of the Middle East.

Peace talks between Israel and Palestine have long been stagnant, which is in no-one's interest, Wang noted, adding that Palestine has the legitimate rights and interests of founding an independent state.

Wang said China supports Israel and Palestine to resume peace talks based on the two-state solution at an early date. China hopes the Jewish nation and the Arab nation can live in harmony, and Israel and Palestine can treat each other as friends, so as to achieve common security, said the Chinese foreign minister.

Only common security can bring about true security and sustainable security, Wang added.

In response, Lapid said Israel is committed to improving its relations with Palestine.

Noting the two countries once created great civilizations and now endeavor to step up modernization, Lapid said Israel and China now enjoy robust abilities in innovation, and understand and appreciate each other.

Israel has unswervingly pursued the one-China principle, which has become an important foundation when developing relations with Beijing, Lapid said, adding that Israel regards China as a friend.

Israel looks forward to maintaining close high-level contacts with China and deepening cooperation in various fields, he added.

Wang appreciated Israel's commitment to the one-China principle and understanding of China's legitimate claims to safeguard its core interests. He believed Israel would continue to support China's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests.

Great progress in cooperation in various fields between China and Israel has been made since the two countries established diplomatic ties three decades ago, particularly when the two sides launched innovative comprehensive partnership in 2017, Wang said.

He said Beijing is ready to work with Tel Aviv to give the advantage of bilateral economic complementarity a full play and boost innovation cooperation to push bilateral relations to achieve more new results.

The two sides unanimously agreed to promote the signing of a free trade agreement to send a positive expectation and signal to a struggling global economic recovery.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine issue. Noting all parties concerned now hopes to achieve a ceasefire and restore peace, Wang said, adding that dialogue and negotiations should be the right direction that all parties ought to support.

To achieve a ceasefire, one should not add fuel to the fire, and to resume peace, one should not impose maximum pressure, Wang added.