On November 7, 2007, Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met in Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, also Middle East Quartet Envoy, who is in China for a business meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia. Both sides exchanged views mainly on the situation in the Middle East.

Tang said the prolonged solution of the Middle East issue not only affects peace and stability in the region, but also world peace and development. "China supports the ongoing consultations and negotiations between Palestine and Israel, and hopes the two sides can continue dialogues and achieve substantial results as soon as possible," he said. China is open to a U.S.-proposed international meeting to discuss the Middle East peace process, said Tang. China will actively join all the international efforts that are helpful for the Middle East peace process, strengthen communication and coordination with relevant sides, and play a constructive role as always, Tang said. He also called for an early, fair and rational resolution of the Middle East issue with broad participation from the international community and relevant sides.

Blair said the Middle East issue is of vital importance to regional and world stability. The U.S.-proposed international meeting will play an important role in promoting Palestine-Israel peace talks and restart the peace process, he said, expressing hope that relevant sides can grasp the opportunity and make more efforts to promote the peace process.

Tang also spoke highly of the efforts Blair has made to promote the China-Britain relations during his term as British Prime Minister.