China, Palestine sign agreement on strategic cooperation: report

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
15 Jun 2023 23:14

Upon his visit, the Palestinian leader was welcomed with full military honors at China's Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (left) shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping after a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 14, 2023. (AFP)

ABC News reported on Thursday that China and Palestine agreed on the establishment of a "strategic partnership" during a visit by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to Beijing.

Upon his visit, the Palestinian leader was welcomed with full military honors at China's Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

"We are good friends and partners," Chinese President Xi Jinping told Abbas at the start of their meeting, adding that China has always supported the cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights.

Xi further said that China is willing to increase cooperation with Palestine to promote a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause.

He said that the strategic partnership is an important milestone in the history of bilateral relations. However, financial details were not immediately disclosed.

On the other hand, Abbas said his administration is looking forward to strengthening bilateral relations with China and thanked Beijing for agreeing to finance several projects of development.

"We especially appreciate the Chinese side’s commitment to financing a number of development projects presented by Palestine. We wish the speedy dispatch of technical delegations to implement these projects," ABC News quoted him as saying.

On May 25, during a session of the UN Security Council, China's Deputy Representative, Geng Shuang, called on "Israel" to "stop encroaching" on Palestinian territories and resources.

"Since the beginning of this year, Israel has continued to advance unilateral actions on approving returns, building new settlements, and legalizing settlements," Geng said.

Discussing the Middle Eastern situation, Geng stressed that Israeli settlement-building practices violate international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2334.

The envoy highlighted that "the historical status quo of religious holy sites in Jerusalem [Al-Quds] must be respected and upheld," adding, "We urge Israel to immediately halt these actions and stop encroaching upon the land and resources of the Palestinian people."

Geng also criticized Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for storming Al-Aqsa Mosque for the second time in 2023, which he considered to have "caused renewed tensions."

"On the issue of religious holy sites, Israel must stop its provocations, guarantee the right to worship of Muslim worshipers, uphold the peace and tranquility of religious holy sites, and respect the custodianship of Jordan," Geng emphasized.