DEBORAH WANG, CNN ANCHOR, ASIA TONIGHT: Chinese President Jiang Zemin says China will always be a true friend to the Palestinians. He made the comments to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, who is in Beijing on the last stop of an Asian tour. As Jaime FlorCruz reports, Arafat is urging China to play a more active role in helping to end the violence.</s>JAIME FLORCRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat flew into Beijing for a working visit that included meetings with China's top leaders. Arafat met among others President Jiang Zemin and briefed him on the latest developments of the Middle East. He lobbied for China's support in the standoff with Israel. The Chinese Foreign Ministry had called on Israelis and Palestinians to exercise maximum restraint and urged them to resume their peace talks. Beijing, for years, has taken a even-handed stance because it needs to balance it's important ties with its Arab allies and with Israel, which has become a key trading partner and arms supplier. But Arafat may see an opening: Beijing of late tilted a tad away from Israel, partially condemning the use of force and supporting the Palestinians call to send international observers to the region. The shift may have been prompted by Israel's abrupt cancellation of the sale over sophisticated early-warning radar system. The deal was scuttled last year under U.S. pressure. Jaime FlorCruz, CNN, Beijing.
Chinese President Vows Friendship to Arafat