China and Palestine Establish “Strategic” Partnership
Chinese President Xi Jinping confirmed on Friday that his country would build “strategic” relations with Palestine. This announcement was made during talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Beijing, marking the fifth official visit of Abbas to the Chinese capital.
Mutual Coordination and Cooperation
During a reception at the Great Hall of the People, Xi stated that China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Palestine in the face of centuries of global change and new developments in the situation in the Middle East. He also mentioned the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries, which he described as a milestone in the history of bilateral relations.
Strengthening Relations and Resolving Conflicts
The talks between the two leaders aimed at finding ways to strengthen relations and solve long-term problems of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. China has been seeking to strengthen its relationship in the Middle East by challenging US influence in an effort that has worried Washington.
China’s Readiness to Assist in Peace Talks
In April, Chinese Foreign Minister Chen Gang informed his Israeli and Palestinian counterparts in two separate calls of his country’s readiness to assist in peace talks. During a call with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Chen urged him to take “steps to resume peace talks,” adding that “China is ready to promote this,” according to the Xinhua news agency.
Palestine an “Old Friend” of China
Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin referred to President Abbas as an “old friend of the Chinese people” during a regular press conference on Friday. This reaffirms China’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with Palestine and promoting peace in the Middle East.
