Jan.9 - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert arrived in Beijing on Tuesday morning for a three-day official visit to China.

 

During Olmert's visit, the first since he took office last May, Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao will meet or hold talks with him respectively on China-Israel relations, regional and international issues of common concern, sources with Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

 

He is also expected to attend a series of activities marking the 15th anniversary of the establishment of China-Israel diplomatic ties, the sources added.

 

Before his China visit, Olmert highlighted in an interview with Xinhua in Jerusalem that the development of the relations with China is "exciting" and "promising".

 

He stressed that China is not only a big economic power, but an important country which plays a significant role in some regional and global issues.

 

"Anything China can contribute to facilitate the political dialogue is something Israel will always welcome," Olmert said.

 

As a son of a former Jewish resident in China, Olmert said he had a spiritual tie with the Asian country.

 

"The Chinese culture is part of my heritage and part of my earliest memory as a young kid in the state of Israel," the Israeli Prime Minister said.