``My lifelong goal is to see peace realised in the Middle East. And China can make a contribution to this peace in its own way,'' Peres was reported saying.

``China is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, it speaks with a respected voice and has good relations with both Israel and Arab countries.''

Peres, who won the 1994 Nobel peace prize for initiating the Middle East peace process, arrived in Beijing yesterday from Moscow.

``Now the world has entered a phase of globalisation, people should have a new understanding of the situation in the Middle East,'' he said.

``But some people in Israel and Arab countries hold on to outmoded ideas in a new age.''

Peres, honorary president of the council for the promotion of Israel-China relations, is also scheduled to meet Chinesevice-premier and former foreign minister Qian Qichen Saturday. He will also visit a mosque before leaving next Wednesday.

Peres's successor as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is to visit China from May 26 to 28.