Israel PM to visit China on heels of Iran official

Beijing, Jan 4: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will visit China next week, the Foreign Ministry in Beijing said today, the latest sign of China's deepening involvement in the West Asia.

Olmert, making his first trip to China as prime minister, would arrive on January 9 and leave on January 11, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told a news conference.

''China and the Israeli people share a profound friendship,'' Liu said. ''We will exchange views in an in-depth way on the West Asia issue.'' Olmert will be following close on the heels of Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, who began a two-day visit to Beijing today.

The Olmert visit underscores the delicate balance China aims to achieve between Israel and the Palestinians, and in its approach to wider West Asia problems, as its diplomatic clout grows and energy and trade considerations force it to pay more attention to the region.

Beijing has cultivated friendly ties with both sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while playing only a minor role in efforts to broker a compromise between them.

Beijing hosted a three-day seminar with both Palestinian and Israeli politicians in December, the first of its kind for China.

Haman Invitation

But it had earlier angered Israel by inviting Hamas Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahar to a Sino-Forum in Beijing last May.

Israel said the visit harmed peace efforts and reduced pressure on Hamas, listed as a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union, to recognise Israel's right to exist.

Olmert, whose trip marks 15 years of formal diplomatic relations between China and Israel, is expected to meet President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and Commerce Minister Bo Xilai, his spokeswoman Miri Eisin said.

''There will be discussions of bilateral issues -- mainly, but not only, economic,'' she said. ''We would like to enhance cooperation in areas such as science and cultural exchanges. Israel has been assisting China in areas such as agriculture and water hydrology technology.'' ''I am sure the Iranian issue will come up also, though this is not the primary issue,'' Eisin said.

China, which wields veto power on the UN Security Council, backed a resolution last month imposing sanctions on Iran's trade in sensitive nuclear materials and technology, an attempt to halt uranium enrichment work that could lead to bomb production.

But Beijing depends on Tehran for about 12 per cent of its crude oil imports and has consistently urged talks to defuse the standoff over Iran's nuclear programme, which Tehran says is for peaceful purposes.

Reuters