Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (L front) speaks as Palestinian National Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (R front) looks on during a press conference after their meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on April 22, 2009. Abbas met Yang Jiechi on Wednesday. [Xinhua]

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Wednesday urged for the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian talks to proceed the Middle East peace process.

"We call upon all parties involved in the issue to take positive and trust-building measures to stabilize the situation, and pave the way for the resumption of the Israeli-Palestinian talks," said Yang at a press conference after meeting with the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

Referring to the restart of the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks after the Annapolis conference held at the end of 2007 in the United States, Yang said that the peace process should not stop or backtrack, which could went against achieving peace and stability in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, he said the Middle East issue should be handled in a comprehensive way. "We would like to see the resumption of the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks at an early date, at the same time, we would also like to see the launching of the Israel-Lebanon, Israel-Syria peace negotiation as soon as possible," he added.

Yang arrived at the West Bank city of Ramallah on Wednesday afternoon. During his stay, he also met with his Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Malki.

Yang is on a foreign trip to Egypt, Palestinian territories, Israel, Syria and Russia. He is scheduled to meet with Israeli leaders on Thursday.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2009)