VIDEO - BEIJING – Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Thursday morning that his meeting with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao was "surprising and encouraging." "We discussed a series of issues, including economic and diplomatic cooperation. Their (the Chinese's) statements on the diplomatic, and mainly the Iranian issue were encouraging," Olmert said, stressing that this refers also to the subject of military nuclear armament in Iran. The PM stated that the meeting with Jiabao "exceeded expectations." "The Chinese prime minister told me in the meeting that during a visit in one of the Arab countries he was asked how he could be a friend of Israel, and answered, 'I'm Israel's friend.'" "This symbolizes," Olmert continued, "the very welcoming atmosphere in the visit" which was embodied in the long hour and-a-half meeting with the Chinese leader. During their meeting, Olmert asked Jiabao to reconsider China's sanction policy towards Iran. Olmert stated that he was aware of the volume of economic trade between the two countries, estimated at USD 5 billion, but claimed that the Iranian threat endangers stability in the Middle East. "China's support, as one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, in tougher sanctions against Iran is very important," Olemrt explained. China worried over nuclear weapons Senior officials at Olmert's office clarified following the meeting that the Chinese had intelligence similar to Israel's regarding Iran's intention to develop nuclear weapons. The officials said that the Chinese expressed sympathy with the Israeli concern over Iran's nuclear program and said they would strongly oppose it. However, like Russia, China does not plan to impose sanctions that would prevent Iran from developing civilian nuclear power. The Chinese press quoted Thursday associates of the Chinese prime minister, who said that while China objects to nuclear weapons, it prefers to take the diplomatic route in expressing its opposition.