China will send a senior diplomat to Israel and Palestine as part of efforts to help resume peace talks at an early date, said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Thursday.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun will visit Israel, Palestine and other countries in the Middle East region in the near future to bring parties concerned back onto the track of negotiations, said Jiang Yu at a regular press conference.

"As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has been engaged in proper settlement of the Middle East issue," said Jiang in response to a question on Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's remarks Monday that Israel is ready to resume negotiations with Palestine and solve the Middle East issue peacefully.

China welcomes the Israeli prime minister's remarks, said Jiang, adding that China appreciates the positive measures Israel and Palestine have recently taken for easing tensions.

"China hopes the two sides could take concrete measures to establish mutual trust and resume peace talks as soon as possible," Jiang added.