Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang met with Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ehud Barak in Beijing Tuesday, to discuss bilateral ties.
Li hailed the healthy growth of China-Israel relations over the years, citing frequent political exchanges, enhanced trade links and agriculture and technology cooperation, as well as increasing people-to-people contacts.
Calling military cooperation an important part of the cooperation between the two countries, Li suggested the two countries' armed forces further enhance understanding, learn from each other and share helpful experiences.
He vowed joint efforts with Israel to consolidate traditional friendship, deepen cooperation in various areas, and promote even greater achievements of bilateral relations.
"The Middle East issue has long been a hot topic of the world," Li said, adding the recent unrest in West Asia and North Africa had added new and complicated factors for the efforts to advance the Middle East peace process.
He said China consistently advocates that all parties involved should follow relevant UN resolutions and settle disputes and divergence through peaceful means such as diplomatic negotiations.
"We will continue to firmly support the Middle East peace process, and are willing to work with all parties concerned and to play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability of the Middle East," Li added.
In response, Barak said the two countries enjoy a profound history and had made important contributions to human civilization.
Barack said the Israeli people have always had a friendly feeling toward the Chinese people, and admired China for its great achievements in economic development in recent years.
While expressing appreciation of China's positive role on the Middle East issue and thanking China for doing so, Barak hoped that Israel would expand friendly cooperation with China in areas ranging from politics, economy, agriculture, science and technology, to the military field.
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/7410204.html
China hopes to strengthen military co-op with Israel, defense minister
China is willing to further strengthen military cooperation with Israel to contribute to the development of country-to-country relations, State Councilor and Defense Minister Liang Guanglie said Monday.
Liang made the remark in his talks with visiting Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ehud Barak.
Liang said, "China values relations with Israel and is ready to expand and strengthen pragmatic exchange and cooperation between the two militaries, so as to make contributions to the further development of relations between the two countries and the two militaries."
Liang said the Chinese and Israeli people have deep traditional friendship, and the bilateral relationship has maintained a good momentum of development since the establishment of China-Israel diplomatic ties.
Liang hailed increased political mutual trust and the achievements the two sides have made in all areas through pragmatic cooperation in the past 19 years of diplomatic ties.
Barak echoed Liang's remark, saying that he hoped the two sides could expand common ground, strengthen friendship and learn more from each other through his visit.
He also pledged to lift pragmatic cooperation between the two nations' armies, and make joint efforts with the Chinese side for a better and deeper military relationship.
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/7408953.html
