China Can Play Bigger Role in Mideast Peace Process: Interview

China can play a much-needed, bigger role in the Mideast peace process, Sadi Jaber, charge d' affaires of the Palestinian embassy in Beijing, said in an interview on April 10. "The peace process is an important thing for us, and we believe that peace is a strategic choice; we will never change this belief, " he said.

And as a trusted friend of Palestine, China can play a vital role in pushing forward the peace process.

Commenting on Chinese President Jiang Zemin's impending state visit to Palestine, the Palestinian diplomatic envoy said the visit comes at a crucial time in the peace process. President Jiang and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat are expected to discuss the general situation of the Mideast region and ways to move forward the peace process, he said.

"Peace is good for all the people in the region," Jaber said, adding that economic cooperation will also be on the agenda of talks between Jiang and Arafat.

"We need help from countries all over the world, especially China and other friendly countries, at the very beginning of reconstruction," said Jaber, who offered an invitation to Chinese companies to participate in infrastructural construction of Palestine, including hospitals, schools and bridges.

China will soon build a computer training center in Jericho, and a hospital and school in the Gaza Strip, according to the diplomat. He said that since President Arafat first visited China in 1964, he has sealed a deep friendship and good relationship with three generations of the Chinese leadership.

So far, Arafat has visited China 12 times, and two or three high-level Palestinian delegations have come to China every year, he added.

Palestine and China enjoy good relations at all times, he said, pointing to China's support for Palestine in political, financial and other areas, as well as in the international arena, including the United Nations Security Council and international conferences. "We appreciate and cannot forget what China has done for us over the past years," he said. "We are very proud of China's position and support for Palestine."



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