BEIJING, March 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen said Tuesday that China is deeply concerned about the situation inthe Middle East and called for efforts to realize peace through dialog.

¡¡¡¡At a meeting with Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Minister ofForeign Affairs Shimon Peres, Qian said China is worried about theviolence between Israel and Palestine over the past year and the suspension of the Middle East peace process.

¡¡¡¡He added that peace in the Middle East will come only through dialog and not by force. The national security of the Middle East countries, including Israel, will not come until the region achieves real peace.

¡¡¡¡Qian said China urges Israel and Palestine to stop conflicts and resume peace talks as soon as possible. China also hopes that Israel will allow Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to attend the coming Arab summit meeting, which will be beneficial to all parties concerned.

¡¡¡¡As a permanent member of the United Nations' Security Council, China has long voiced support of the Middle East peace process andis willing to work with the international community to push forward the peace process, Qian said.

¡¡¡¡The vice-premier said the Chinese and Jewish people have developed a deep friendship and Sino-Israeli relations have progressed smoothly since the two countries established diplomaticties ten years ago.

¡¡¡¡The cooperation between China and Israel has a firm foundation and a promising future as the two countries have no conflict of fundamental interests. China is ready to make joint efforts with Israel in furthering bilateral relations, he added.

¡¡¡¡Peres said that Israel and China have made great achievements in promoting bilateral relations over the past ten years and Israel regards China as one of the world's influential nations andis willing to improve friendly cooperation between the two countries in all fields.

¡¡¡¡He briefed Qian on how the Israel-Palestine conflict is going and what position the Israeli government takes. Enditem