"The Israeli government and myself attach great importance to the development of Israel's relationship with China and we will do our best to further this relationship in the future," Israeli President Ezer Weizman said in Jerusalem November 25 evening to visiting Chinese top legislator Li Peng.

China is a great country with ancient civilization and to promote the Israeli-Chinese relations is the common desire of the peoples of the two countries, Weizman said in his meeting with Li.

"We are very satisfied with the progress made in cooperation between our two countries in the fields of agriculture, science and technology, and we do hope that with joint efforts, the cooperation in other aspects will also achieve remarkable results," the president added.

Recalling his visit to China in April this year, Weizman said his talks in China with Chinese President Jiang Zemin and other Chinese leaders were very fruitful, which were conducive to further strengthening the bilateral relations.

Weizman also briefed Li on the developments of the Middle East peace process, saying that only peace can bring development and stability to the whole Middle East region.

Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, said that to further strengthen the Sino-Israeli relations is not only in the interest of the peoples of the two countries, but also in the interest of the peace and stability of the whole world.

He said the Chinese government and people are willing, on the basis of mutual respect and trust, to build a stable, friendly and lasting cooperative relationship with Israel toward the 21st century.

China welcomes the positive developments in the Middle East peace process and sincerely hopes that the Middle East issue will be solved through negotiations as early as possible.

Li arrived in Jerusalem November 25 for a week-long official and good-will visit to Israel at the invitation of the Israeli government and the parliament. (Xinhua)