President Xi Jinping met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Riyadh on the afternoon of December 8 local time.
President Xi emphasized that the friendship between China and Palestine is deeply valued by both peoples. The two sides have always trusted and supported each other over the past five decades and more. Whatever the international and regional situation, China has always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate rights and interests, and has always stood by the Palestinian people. The international community should prioritize the Palestinian issue on the international agenda, stick to the two-state solution and the principle of “land for peace,” and facilitate the restart of peace talks in accordance with relevant UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. China will continue to work for a just, long-term solution to the Palestinian issue.
President Xi emphasized the importance of the two sides making good plans for the 35th anniversary of China-Palestine relations next year. The two countries signed a tourism cooperation agreement, advanced negotiations for a China-Palestine free trade agreement, and held the second session of the Chinese-Palestinian Joint Committee for Economic, Trade, and Technical Cooperation successfully. China has provided a large number of vaccines and other anti-COVID supplies to Palestinian refugees and will continue to do everything it can to assist Palestine in developing its economy and improving the well-being of its people. China applauds Palestine’s active participation in and efforts to promote collective cooperation between China and Arab states, and will increase communication and cooperation with Palestine on advancing China-Arab relations and delivering on the Global Development and Global Security Initiatives.
According to President Abbas, the Palestinian people are extremely proud of their friendly relations with the Chinese people. China is a sincere and trustworthy friend of Palestine, and it has always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people by providing Palestine with all-round and unconditional support on political, economic, moral, and other fronts. All Palestinians have genuine feelings for the Chinese people. China’s international positions are fair and just, and its initiatives and proposals are positive and constructive. Palestine is firmly aligned with China. Abbas reaffirmed Palestine’s unwavering commitment to the one-China principle and unwavering support for China’s just position on Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang issues. Palestine strongly supports and actively participates in Belt and Road cooperation and is ready to collaborate with China to further strengthen cooperation in all areas. Palestine looks forward to collaborating with China to ensure the success of tomorrow’s first China-Arab States Summit.
The meeting was attended by Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi, and He Lifeng.
