On the evening of 26 September, President Jiang Zemin answered a telephone call from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

President Mubarak stated Egypt’s position and views on terrorism and the Middle East peace process. He stressed that the international community should make all efforts to fight terrorism. He stated that the world should urge Israel and Palestine to come back to the negotiation table and push forward the Middle East peace process.

President Jiang reiterated China’s basic position on terrorism.

President Jiang pointed it out that both China and Egypt call for enhanced international cooperation against terrorism in order to safeguard world peace. The role of the United Nations should be given full play. Both China and Egypt oppose linking terrorism with religious or ethnical issues. We appreciate the positive role of the Arabian countries, in particular Egypt, in fighting terrorism and safeguarding regional peace and stability.

On the Middle East peace process, President Jiang stressed the importance of the Middle East question, believing that it bears directly upon world and regional peace and stability. China has always supported the legitimate rights of the Palestine people and the just struggle of the Arabian people. We always hold that peace talks are the only correct choice for the settlement of the Middle East question. Under the current situation, it is extremely necessary for the international community to adopt a more positive attitude to push forth the Middle East peace process. China supports the positive role of Egypt in the Middle East region.