China hopes Powell's visit to the region will help reverse the very dangerous situation in the Middle East, Tang said in a telephone conversation with Powell Friday evening.

Tang said China hopes the US would play an active role in easing the conflict between Israel and Palestine. China has been working for the realization of peace and stability in the Middle East and is ready to maintain consultation and cooperation with the US on this issue, he added.

Powell briefed Tang about the US' view on the current situation in the Middle East, saying that President George W. Bush will send him to the region. Powell said the United States will make the utmost efforts to calm down the situation in the region.

Tang told Powell that he had had telephone talks with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Amr Mahmoud Moussa, respectively, Friday afternoon.

The Chinese side is deeply concerned with and worried about the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in recent days, he said.

Tang pointed out that it is the most important at present to urge the Israeli side to implement the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, withdraw all troops from Palestine and lift the siege of President Arafat.

Tang and Powell also exchanged views on major issues such as Sino-US relations and the situation in South Asia.

(Xinhua News Agency April 6, 2002)