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Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas

2023-06-14 21:30

On the afternoon of June 14, 2023, President Xi Jinping held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas who is on a state visit to China. The two heads of state announced the establishment of a strategic partnership between China and Palestine.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Palestine are good friends and good partners who trust and support each other. China was one of the first countries to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization and the State of Palestine, and has all along firmly supported the Palestinian people's just cause of restoring their legitimate national rights, and has worked for a comprehensive, just and durable solution of the Palestinian question at an early date. China supports Palestine's efforts to gain full membership in the United Nations, and will continue to speak up and uphold justice for Palestine in multilateral settings. China will continue to provide assistance to Palestine to the best of its ability, and help Palestine alleviate humanitarian difficulties and carry out reconstruction. China is ready to work with Palestine to take the establishment of a strategic partnership as an opportunity to continue to render mutual support on issues concerning each other’s core concerns, advance friendly cooperation across the board, deepen Belt and Road cooperation, accelerate negotiations on the China-Palestine free trade agreement, increase exchanges on governance experience, and carry forward the traditional friendship.

Xi Jinping stressed that the Palestinian question has remained unresolved for over half a century, causing great sufferings to the Palestinian people, and that justice must be done to Palestine as soon as possible. Xi Jinping put forward a three-point proposal. First, the fundamental solution of the Palestine question lies in the establishment of an independent state of Palestine that enjoys full sovereignty on the basis of the 1967 borders and with east Jerusalem as its capital. Second, Palestine's economic and livelihood needs should be met, and the international community needs to step up development assistance and humanitarian aid to Palestine. Third, it is important to keep to the right direction of peace talks. The historical status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem should be respected, and excessive and provocative words and actions should be avoided. A large-scale, more authoritative and more influential international peace conference should be convened so as to create conditions for the resumption of peace talks and contribute tangible efforts to help Palestine and Israel live in peace. China stands ready to play a positive role in helping Palestine achieve internal reconciliation and promoting peace talks.

Xi Jinping stressed that in the face of the once-in-a-century changes in the world and the new developments in the Middle East, China stands ready to work with Palestine and other developing countries to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, step up collaboration in international and regional affairs, advance collective cooperation between China and Arab countries, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and uphold international fairness and justice.

On behalf of the Palestinian people, Abbas expressed heartfelt gratitude for China's long-standing and strong support and selfless help for the Palestinian people's just cause of restoring their legitimate national rights. He said China is a trusted friend and partner of Palestine. Palestine firmly supports China's position on issues concerning its core interests, and stays committed to the one-China principle. Palestine is ready to work with China to advance the Belt and Road cooperation, strengthen cooperation in various fields, promote the building of a human community with a shared future, and continuously deepen the Palestine-China strategic partnership. Palestine supports the Global Security Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, highly appreciates China's success in mediating talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and thanks China for proposing multiple initiatives for an early and just solution of the Palestinian question. Palestine believes in China’s wisdom and just position, and looks forward to China playing a greater role in promoting internal reconciliation in Palestine and realizing peace in the Middle East.

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly signed on the first-day cover in commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Palestine, and witnessed the signing of the economic and technological cooperation agreement and other bilateral cooperation documents.

The two sides issued the Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the State of Palestine on Establishing a Strategic Partnership.

Prior to the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony for Abbas in the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Upon Abbas's arrival, a 21-gun salute was fired at Tian'anmen Square, and honor guards lined up in salutation. As the two heads of state stepped onto the stand, the military band played the national anthems of China and Palestine. Abbas reviewed the guard of honor of the People's Liberation Army and watched the march-past in the company of Xi Jinping.

On the evening of the same day, Xi Jinping held a welcome banquet for Abbas at the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Wang Yi and Qin Gang, among others, were present at the above events.

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