On the morning of June 15, 2023, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council met at the Great Hall of the People with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is on a state visit to China.

Li Qiang said that China and Palestine are good friends and good partners. Yesterday, President Xi Jinping and Mr. President jointly announced the establishment of a strategic partnership between China and Palestine, elevating relations between the two countries to a new height, which fully demonstrates China’s staunch support for developing China-Palestine relations and the Palestinian people’s just cause. China is ready to work with Palestine to take the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year as an opportunity to promote tangible outcomes in the China-Palestine strategic partnership and bring more benefits to the two peoples.

Li Qiang pointed out that in recent years, cooperation between China and Palestine in various fields has developed in a steady manner, and bilateral relations have been more solid. The two sides should continue to firmly support each other. China is ready to work with Palestine to jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. The two sides should continue to advance practical cooperation, speed up free trade agreement negotiations, and ensure the sound implementation of the Belt and Road cooperation plan. The two sides also need to strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges to deepen and carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries. China will continue to uphold justice and make unremitting efforts for a comprehensive, just and durable solution of the Palestinian question.

Abbas said that China is a great and friendly country, and Palestine sees China as a close friend. Palestine thanks China for its strong support for the Palestinian people’s just cause, firmly supports China’s reunification, firmly supports China in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests, and firmly supports China in playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs. Palestinian people will not believe any remark that tarnishes and smears China, and nor will the people of the world. Palestine is ready to strengthen friendly cooperation with China to jointly promote the settlement of the Palestinian question at an early date.

Qin Gang, among others, was present at the event.