Yet we are convinced that it is possible to make steady progress towards peace, as long as both the Arabs and Israelis continue to adhere to their strategic choice to seek a peaceful settlement to their dispute. This choice implies a sincere intention to negotiate on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions and to uphold the principle of land for peace, in a spirit of flexibility and pragmatism. China has its own independent foreign policy, whose main aim is to promote peace. We seek to develop our relations with other countries on the basis of the five principles for peaceful coexistence and in accordance with internationally recognised rules and procedures. We have defined our position on international issues in the light of our perceptions of right and wrong, and on the basis of the interests of the people both of China and of other nations.
China is linked to the Arab people through common bonds of friendship.
We have always stood firmly behind them and supported their just causes and legitimate demands. The facts themselves demonstrate that the development of relations with Israel has not diminished our commitment to our fundamental principles with regard to the Middle East crisis. On the contrary, these relations have helped us in our efforts to support the negotiating process. It appears that Chinese-US relations will always be something of a rollercoaster ride, because of a variety of disruptive factors. Chinese-American relations have been through many twists and turns since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries more than 20 years ago.