(Communicated by the Foreign Minister's Bureau)

Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman met on Thursday (19 December 2013) at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. They discussed both the continued fostering of relations between Israel and the People's Republic of China, as well as regional and global issues.

FM Liberman welcomed his Chinese counterpart on his first visit to Israel, noting that this visit is another link in the strengthening of cooperation and bilateral relations between the two countries.

The two ministers agreed that an agreement should soon be signed waiving the need for visas for diplomatic passports. They expressed the desire to further ease the visa regulations in order to encourage tourism and business ties between the countries. FM Liberman noted that Israel is interested in joining the Chinese program which allows visitors entry into China for a period of 72 without need of a visa.

It was also decided to elevate the annual political dialogue between Israel and China to a more senior rank.

Tourism Minister Uzi Landau, who took part in the meeting, and Foreign Minister Wang expressed the common desire to broaden aviation links between the two countries and to encourage airlines in Israel and China to operate flights between them with the aim of increasing the scope of bilateral tourism and business.

FM Wang, who visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, stressed China's firm stand against antisemitism. The ministers also agreed to broaden cooperation in Holocaust remembrance.

Ministers Liberman and Wang expressed their appreciation for the work of the China-Israel Economic Task Force, stressing the importance of its continued work in mapping areas of cooperation.

They also discussed a series of regional issues, with emphasis on developments in the Middle East and in Northeast Asia. FM Liberman reiterated that Israel is an island of stability in the changing Middle East, and voiced Israel's concern at Iran's efforts to achieve nuclear weapons, develop missiles and spread terror in our region. He noted that when the Iranians speak of destroying Israel, they mean it, and Israel takes these statements seriously.

On the talks between Israel and the Palestinian, FM Liberman praised the efforts of US Secretary of State John Kerry and noted that Israel is serious in its intention to achieve an agreement. He expects the Palestinians to do their share in the process and refrain from unilateral actions in international forums, which do not contribute to the negotiations but only interfere with the process.

FM Wang reviewed recent developments in Northeast Asia. He invited FM Liberman to visit China again, in order to further strengthen relations between the two countries.