Xi tells Palestine leader of China's firm support
Source: Agencies |
May 7, 2013, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
China firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people, Chinese President Xi Jinping said yesterday.
Both the Palestinian and Israeli leaders are visiting China this week.
Xi welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Beijing yesterday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began a visit to Shanghai. Netanyahu is due in Beijing tomorrow following Abbas' departure today.
Xi said the Palestine issue was the core of the Middle East issue. It dominated the talks with Abbas, the first Middle East head of state to visit China since Xi assumed the presidency in March.
"The issue, already lasting more than half a century, has brought deep suffering to the Palestinian people and remains an important reason of extended turbulence in the Middle East region," Xi said.
So long as the legitimate national rights and interests of the Palestinian people can not be restored, peace between Palestine and Israel would not be realized, "let alone peace and stability in the region," Xi said.
He said the Palestinian issue "should not be neglected at any time and must be put in an important and noteworthy position."
Xi said the Chinese people's support of the Palestinian people "is sincere and hearty." China will, as always, support the just cause of the Palestinian people, he said.
"Despite turns and twists in peace talks between Palestine and Israel, we believe the dream of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state can come true provided (you) hold the general direction of peace and make unremitting efforts (in your cause)," he told Abbas.
The Palestinian president also said a political solution "remains the best and only way out," adding that his country supported such an option.
Palestine wants to address the issue through peaceful talks on the basis of a two-state solution, he said.
Abbas also urged Israel to observe international pacts and halt settlement building so as to create conditions for resumption of the peace talks.
Abbas also spoke highly of China's stance on the Palestinian issue and hoped it would continue to play a part in the process.
"I appreciate China's high position in the world nowadays," Abbas said in his opening remarks at the meeting at the Great Hall of the People, which was followed by the signing of agreements on technical cooperation and cultural exchanges.
During his meeting with Abbas, Premier Li Keqiang said: "China will continue its own way and make use of its influence to boost Palestine-Israel peace negotiations, which will work for regional and world peace and stability." Li pledged China will carry out existing projects, encourage more Chinese businesses to invest in Palestine, help Palestine with infrastructure, train more people and strengthen people-to-people exchanges.
China recognized the Palestinian state in 1988, four years before establishing diplomatic ties with Israel.
"China thinks it is of great significance to help facilitate the Middle East peace process, and would like to make positive and constructive efforts in helping resume peace talks between Palestine and Israel," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a news briefing yesterday.
Netanyahu's visit is the first by an Israeli leader since Ehud Olmert visited in 2007, and is expected to include the signing of numerous trade deals. China is a major customer for Israeli know-how, from high-technology to agriculture, engineering and military hardware and services, including the training of Chinese security forces and purchase of unmanned aerial vehicles.
Both the Palestinian and Israeli leaders are visiting China this week.
Xi welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Beijing yesterday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began a visit to Shanghai. Netanyahu is due in Beijing tomorrow following Abbas' departure today.
Xi said the Palestine issue was the core of the Middle East issue. It dominated the talks with Abbas, the first Middle East head of state to visit China since Xi assumed the presidency in March.
"The issue, already lasting more than half a century, has brought deep suffering to the Palestinian people and remains an important reason of extended turbulence in the Middle East region," Xi said.
So long as the legitimate national rights and interests of the Palestinian people can not be restored, peace between Palestine and Israel would not be realized, "let alone peace and stability in the region," Xi said.
He said the Palestinian issue "should not be neglected at any time and must be put in an important and noteworthy position."
Xi said the Chinese people's support of the Palestinian people "is sincere and hearty." China will, as always, support the just cause of the Palestinian people, he said.
"Despite turns and twists in peace talks between Palestine and Israel, we believe the dream of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state can come true provided (you) hold the general direction of peace and make unremitting efforts (in your cause)," he told Abbas.
The Palestinian president also said a political solution "remains the best and only way out," adding that his country supported such an option.
Palestine wants to address the issue through peaceful talks on the basis of a two-state solution, he said.
Abbas also urged Israel to observe international pacts and halt settlement building so as to create conditions for resumption of the peace talks.
Abbas also spoke highly of China's stance on the Palestinian issue and hoped it would continue to play a part in the process.
"I appreciate China's high position in the world nowadays," Abbas said in his opening remarks at the meeting at the Great Hall of the People, which was followed by the signing of agreements on technical cooperation and cultural exchanges.
During his meeting with Abbas, Premier Li Keqiang said: "China will continue its own way and make use of its influence to boost Palestine-Israel peace negotiations, which will work for regional and world peace and stability." Li pledged China will carry out existing projects, encourage more Chinese businesses to invest in Palestine, help Palestine with infrastructure, train more people and strengthen people-to-people exchanges.
China recognized the Palestinian state in 1988, four years before establishing diplomatic ties with Israel.
"China thinks it is of great significance to help facilitate the Middle East peace process, and would like to make positive and constructive efforts in helping resume peace talks between Palestine and Israel," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a news briefing yesterday.
Netanyahu's visit is the first by an Israeli leader since Ehud Olmert visited in 2007, and is expected to include the signing of numerous trade deals. China is a major customer for Israeli know-how, from high-technology to agriculture, engineering and military hardware and services, including the training of Chinese security forces and purchase of unmanned aerial vehicles.
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