Eurasia Press & News
Xi used the word ‘Palestine’ as he welcomed Mahmoud Abbas on a visit that follows Beijing’s offer to mediate peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated on Wednesday China’s support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the 1967 borders in a meeting with his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas in Beijing, further demonstrating Beijing’s growing interest in the Middle East.
“The fundamental solution to the Palestinian issue lies in the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital,” Xi was quoted as saying by Chinese state media.
The Chinese leader used the word “Palestine” in addressing further cooperation with the Palestinian Authority. “Facing unprecedented changes in the world and the new developments in the Middle East, China stands ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Palestine, and work for a comprehensive, just and durable solution of the Palestinian question at an early date,” Xi told Abbas, China’s state-run news outlet CGTN reported.
Abbas arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a three-day visit, and met with Xi on Wednesday. During their meeting, Xi endorsed the creation of a Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital, according to CGTN. China has long endorsed a two-state solution to the conflict, like much of the international community.
Also during the meeting, China and the Palestinian Authority (PA) signed a strategic partnership. Details on the partnership were not immediately available. Xi described it as “an important milestone in China-Palestine relations that builds on past achievements and heralds a brighter future,” according to CGTN.
Abbas and Xi discussed the PA’s efforts to be admitted as a full member of the United Nations as well as efforts to engage the International Court of Justice on the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, the PA’s official WAFA news agency reported.
The Hague-based International Court of Justice said in January that it received a request for an advisory opinion from the UN General Assembly on the situation in the West Bank.
Abbas also briefed Xi on the conflict with Israel and the two discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations. Abbas reiterated support for the One-China policy — which stipulates that Taiwan, which has been governed independently of China since 1949, is part of China. The president also pledged to “actively participate” in China’s Belt and Road initiative for global infrastructure and thanked China for its “political support,” according to WAFA.
Abbas and Xi also signed bilateral cooperation documents on the economy, technology, and visa exemptions for diplomats, as well as a friendship agreement between the Chinese city of Wuhan and the Palestinian capitla Ramallah, according to Reuters.
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang also met his Palestinian counterpart Riyad Al-Maliki on Tuesday, according to Chinese state media outlets.
This is the fifth time Abbas has visited China, according to CGTN.
Why it matters: Abbas’ visit follows China expressing interest in mediating between Israel and the Palestinians. In April, Qin told his Israeli and Palestinian counterparts that the People’s Republic is willing to facilitate peace talks. The move followed China helping to broker the March agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran that resumed relations between the two foes.
A May poll from the Saudi news outlet Arab News and YouGov found that 80% of Palestinians would welcome Chinese mediation on the conflict. By comparison, 60% said they did not trust the United States to mediate.
In April, China criticized Israel for raiding Al-Aqsa Mosque.
“The attempt of Israel to change the status quo of Jerusalem as a holy site violates relevant UN resolutions, and the international community has the responsibility to take actions to stop the provocative behavior of Israel,” said China’s Middle East envoy Zhai Jun at the time.
Israeli police stormed Al-Aqsa in response to Palestinian worshippers barricading themselves inside the holy site.
Know more: Israel and China have significant economic ties, despite concerns from Washington. In 2021, a Chinese-operated port opened in Israel’s Haifa.
