Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has arrived in Beijing for a four-day state visit, aiming to seek China’s assistance in facilitating Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. This visit marks Abbas’s fifth official visit to the second-largest economy globally.
State-run broadcaster CGTN reported that President Abbas landed in the Chinese capital on Tuesday morning. The official Palestinian news agency Wafa mentioned that Abbas is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his trip. The two leaders will discuss the latest developments in the Palestinian arena, as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern.
Additionally, Abbas will hold a meeting with Premier Li Qiang. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, referred to the longstanding Palestinian leader as an “old and good friend of the Chinese people” and reiterated China’s firm support for the Palestinian people’s just cause to regain their legitimate national rights.
China has been actively enhancing its engagement in the Middle East, including brokering a reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March. By challenging the long-standing influence of the United States, Beijing aims to strengthen its ties in the region. Chinese President Xi Jinping had previously visited Saudi Arabia and met with Abbas, expressing commitment to working towards an early, just, and sustainable solution to the Palestinian issue.
Furthermore, China has proposed an unprecedented summit with Iran and the Gulf Cooperation Council, indicating its increasing involvement in Middle East affairs. Palestinian official Abbas Zaki emphasized the close friendship between China and Palestine, stating that China’s heightened engagement in the region is encouraging.
While Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations have been stagnant since 2014, the United States, represented by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has been addressing the escalated tension between the two parties. Blinken has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid undermining the prospects for a Palestinian state. The visit of President Abbas to China demonstrates an ongoing effort to revitalize peace talks and seek international support for the Palestinian cause.