On January 5, 2009, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun met in the Foreign Ministry with the study group of the National Democratic Party of Egypt (NDP) led by Mohamed Ahmed Abdellah, Chairman of the party's Foreign Affairs' Committee.
On the current situation in the Middle East, Zhai said China has always supported the Middle East peace process and opposed the settlement of conflicts by force as well as any actions that bring harm to innocent civilians. China is deeply concerned about the expansion of the Gaza conflict and has made its own efforts to ease the tensions and the humanitarian crisis taking place in the Gaza Strip. On the previous day, President Hu Jintao held a telephone conversation with his U.S. counterpart George W. Bush, elaborating on China's principled position. China calls on all the parties concerned to immediately stop military actions and armed conflicts, promote the relaxation of tension in the region and create conditions for a solution to the conflict by political means.
Abdellah said Egypt highly appreciates the principled position expounded by President Hu. The international community, especially the UN Security Council, should promote a ceasefire as soon as possible, ease the humanitarian crisis and resume the peace process, he noted. He expressed hope that China will continue to play its active role to promote stability in the Middle East.
Both sides also exchanged views on bilateral ties.
The study group is visiting China at the invitation of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.