POLITICAL ISSUES
IRAN
1. Iranian presidential candidate attaches importance to Iran-China relations
Tehran, Tuesday, 28 May 2013
The Iranian presidential candidate Ali-Akbar Velayati said that he considers relations between Iran and China as highly important and added that China is one of the countries which have priority in Iran's relations with the outside world
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

ISRAEL
2. Israeli PM's upcoming China visit to further strengthen ties: spokesperson
Jerusalem, Wednesday, 1 May 2013
The Israeli spokesperson Marc Regev said that the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to China is expected to further strengthen relations between the two countries and bring more tangible benefits to both people.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

3. Israel, China expected to perfect tech, manufacturing cooperation: Netanyahu
Shanghai, Tuesday, 7 May 2013
During a meeting with Yang Xiong, mayor of Shanghai, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel and China can perfect their cooperation in technology and manufacturing.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

4. Israel PM eyes "perfect partnership" with China
Beijing, Wednesday, 8 May 2013
In an interview with Xinhua News agency, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he looks forward to a “perfect partnership” between Israel and China.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

5. Israeli-Sino economic, trade cooperation develops: Israeli PM
Beijing, Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the trade volume between the two countries has already reached the billion dollar mark and added there is a lot of potential in the bilateral trade and that can be realized only through stronger cooperation.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

6. Israel can be a perfect partner of China: Israeli PM
Beijing, Wednesday, 8 May 2013
In an interview, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he believed that Israel can be a perfect partner of China as China is a globally economic power and Israel is a global centre of research and development.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

7. Chinese premier meets Israel PM, urging cooperation
Beijing, Wednesday, 8 May 2013
The Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an hour-long talk and discussed avenues for stronger cooperation. They also reviewed their commitment to boost the Middle East peace process.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

8. Chinese president meets Israeli PM, pledges efforts for peace in Middle East
Beijing, Thursday, 9 May 2013
Chinese President Xi Jinping met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and pledged to make more efforts to realize peace in Middle East.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

9. Israeli president speaks highly of China's development
Jerusalem, Monday, 27 May 2013
During a meeting with Li Congjun, president of Xinhua News agency, Israeli President Shimon Peres said that China has set a model of reducing poverty and achieving rapid economic progress which influences Israel.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

PALESTINE
10. China willing to assist Palestine-Israeli leaders' meeting: FM spokesperson
Beijing, Friday, 3 May 2013
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that China was willing to assist Palestinian and Israeli leaders if they wish to meet while visiting China.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

11. China supports Palestinian people: President Xi Jinping
Beijing, Monday, 6 May 2013
Chinese President Xi Jinping met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and stressed that China firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

12. Chinese Premier underscores support for Palestinian cause
Beijing, Monday, 6 May 2013
In a meeting with the visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang noted his country’s support for the cause of the Palestinian people and reviewed the profound friendship between the two countries.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

13. China urges resumed Palestine-Israel talks
Beijing, Tuesday, 7 May 2013
A foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that negotiations should be taken as the only way to peace between Palestine and Israel. She also discussed the four-point proposal given by Chinese President Xi Jinping to resolve the Palestinian question.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

14. Palestinian officials praise Abbas' visit to China
Ramallah, Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Nemer Hammad, Mahmoud Abbas’ political adviser, said that the visit by President Mahmoud Abbas to China was successful and yielded important results in supporting the Palestinian National Authority and the peace process.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

15. Abbas, Netanyahu visits reveal China's refocused diplomacy
Beijing, Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Hua Liming, former Chinese Ambassador to Iran said that China is following an omni-directional diplomatic concept with a more obvious and active attitude.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

16. Abbas, Netanyahu visits highlight China's Middle East efforts: spokesperson
Beijing, Friday, 10 May 2013
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that China’s reception of Palestinian and Israeli leaders was part of its efforts to promote peace talks between the two nations as well as to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

17. Palestinian official calls for adding China to Mideast Quartet
Ramallah, Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Yasser Abdullah Rabbo, a member of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee, called for expanding the Mideast Quartet peacemaking group to include China.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

SAUDI ARABIA
18. Chinese President meets Saudi Foreign Minister
Beijing, Friday, 17 May 2013
Chinese President Xi Jinping met Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal in Beijing and said that China has always viewed the Sino-Saudi bilateral relations with a long term perspective.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

SYRIA
19. China voices firm opposition to use of force
Beijing, Monday, 6 May 2013
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that China was firmly opposed to the use of force and called for restraint at the reported Israeli airstrikes on Syria.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

20. China calls for political dialogue in Syria
Beijing, Tuesday, 7 May 2013
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that China believed that a political solution is the only correct way for solving crisis and calls for all relevant parties in Syria to launch dialogue.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

21. China hopes parties in Syrian conflict avoid force
Beijing, Thursday, 9 May 2013
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that China hopes all sides would avoid using force and refrain from taking any action that could escalate tensions in Syria.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

22. China reaffirms political solution only way to address Syria crisis
United Nations, Wednesday, 15 May 2013
China’s permanent representative to the United Nations Li Baodong said that China believes that political solution was the only right way out for the Syrian issue.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

23. China willing to join Geneva talks on Syria: spokesperson
Beijing, Monday, 27 May 2013
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said that China was willing to actively participate in the Geneva II conference on the Syria issue.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

24. China's envoy slams end of EU arms embargo to Syrian rebels
Amman, Wednesday, 29 May 2013
China’s envoy to the Middle East Wu Sike said that China rejects the EU decision to end embargo on providing arms to the Syrian rebels which allows European countries to provide weapons to the Syrian rebels.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

TURKEY
25. China condemns deadly bombings in Turkey: spokesperson
Beijing, Monday, 13 May 2013
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said that China condemned the violent attacks that targeted civilians in Turkey.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

26. Chinese VP meets Turkish guests, media delegation
Beijing, Thursday, 23 May 2013
Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao met with a delegation of Turkish young politicians and said that China and Turkey have enjoyed comprehensive development of cooperation in all fields.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES
27. China's Middle East envoy to visit Jordan, Egypt, AL headquarters
Beijing, Monday, 27 May 2013
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said that Chinese special envoy to the Middle East Wu Sike would visit Jordan, Egypt and the Arab League headquarters in Cairo from 28 May to 6 June.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

28. Sr. officials' meeting of China-Arab Cooperation Forum concludes
Beijing, Friday, 31 May 2013
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said that the meeting reviewed the progress made by the forum since its fifth ministerial meeting May 2012, reached consensus on the action plan and inked a document on the results of the meeting.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

COMPILED BY DIPANWITA CHAKRAVORTTY

Dipanwita Chakravortty is pursuing her M Phil degree in School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.  Email

As part of its editorial policy, the MEI@ND standardizes spelling and date formats to make the text uniformly accessible and stylistically consistent. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views/positions of the MEI@ND. Editor, MEI@ND: P R Kumaraswamy