The Chinese president on Wednesday reiterated to his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, the call for the State of Palestine to become a “full member of the UN”, according to a report by the Chinese state press.
The appeal by Xi Jinping, who had already expressed a similar position in Saudi Arabia in December, comes at a time when Beijing seeks to strengthen its role as a mediator in Middle East disputes.
Chinese diplomacy, which earlier this year facilitated an unexpected rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, says it intends to make a contribution to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, which has been stalled since 2014.
“China supports the idea of Palestine becoming a full member of the UN,” Xi Jinping said in a meeting in Beijing with Abbas, who is visiting China, as quoted by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
“The fundamental solution to the Palestinian question involves the creation of an independent Palestinian state, with full sovereignty, based on the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital,” Xi Jinping stressed.
China, which also enjoys good relations with Israel, recognizes Palestine as a state and has traditionally supported a two-state solution.
According to Jinping, justice must be done with Palestine “as soon as possible”, while Beijing wants to “strengthen coordination and cooperation” with the Palestinian authorities in the face of a “quick, comprehensive, just and lasting resolution” of the conflict.
“China is ready to play a proactive role in Palestinian efforts to achieve internal reconciliation and promote peace talks,” he added.
Until recently, China was less involved in the Israeli-Palestinian issue than the United States, but in recent months it has asserted its position on the matter more insistently and forcefully.
“We must respect the status quo historical sites of the holy sites of Jerusalem, reject radical and provocative words and acts, and promote the convening of a broader international peace conference with greater authority and influence,” Jinping said.
Abbas, 87, is in Beijing until Friday and was received this Wednesday at the monumental Palace of the People, next to Tiananmen Square.
“I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all that China is doing to support the rights of the Palestinian people and help the State of Palestine to become a full member of the UN,” Abbas told Jinping.
In a joint statement, China and the Palestinian authorities also announced the establishment of “strategic partnership relations”, raising the level of diplomatic relations.
This is Mahmoud Abbas’s fifth official visit to China.
Defined by the United States as a rival, China has in recent years strengthened its trade and diplomatic relations with countries in the Middle East, many of which are traditionally under US influence.
At the diplomatic level, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang also reaffirmed today to his Palestinian counterpart, Riyad al-Malki, that Beijing supports efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
According to a statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Qin noted that Abbas is the first Arab head of state to be hosted by China this year, “which fully demonstrates the special friendship between China and Palestine and China’s support for the just cause of Palestine”.
The Chinese minister said Abbas and Jinping “will draw up a high-level plan for the development of bilateral relations, clarify the strategic direction and elevate the traditional friendly relations between the two countries to a new level.”
“China attaches great importance to the Palestinian issue and has always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights. China will continue to support the right direction of the peace talks and contribute its wisdom and strength. solution of the conflict”, reads the official note.
Source: TSF
