China voices support for Palestine

China will continue supporting the Palestinian people, the country’s president said during a press conference with his Palestinian counterpart yesterday.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is in China for talks with Xi Jinping, the pair have also signed several cooperation agreements.

According to Palestinian news agency Wafa, Xi said China would continue to support the “Palestinian cause and struggle to regain their national rights regardless of the international developments,” and would continue to provide assistance to the Palestinian people.

Read: The negotiations impasse has exposed a seamless agreement between Israel and the PA

Xi also reportedly stated that China was following with “interest” developments in the US President Donald Trump-led peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis.

Abbas thanked Xi for his continued support for Palestine. “China remains the best friend of our people and the best supporter of our national cause,” he said.

During the visit, Abbas decorated Xi with the Grand Medal of Palestine in a show of respect, according to Wafa.

Abbas and Xi also reportedly signed four agreements to improve economic, technical, culture and capacity building cooperation between the countries.

Abbas landed in China on Monday. China was one of the first countries to recognise the Palestinian state in 1988 and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), which opened up an embassy in Beijing in 1974.