palestine president visit china

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Hosting Palestinian Leader, Xi Pushes China as a Peacemaker for Israel

In meeting with the Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, Xi Jinping is pushing Beijing as an alternative to the U.S. for diplomatic leadership.

By Vivian Wang

China’s top leader, Xi Jinping, met with the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, in Beijing on Wednesday, as Mr. Xi pushes to expand China’s influence in the Middle East and cast his country as an alternative to the United States for leadership in global diplomacy.

In the lead-up to Mr. Abbas’s four-day visit, which began on Tuesday, Chinese officials had repeatedly suggested that China could help pave the way for peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The Chinese state media had also fiercely criticized the United States for failing to broker a settlement between the two.

And on Wednesday, Mr. Xi put forward a three-part proposal for a two-state solution to the conflict, according to the state media. The plan appeared largely similar to a proposition that Mr. Xi had put forward in 2013, which failed to achieve any breakthroughs.

“Justice must be returned to Palestine as soon as possible,” Xinhua, the state news agency, reported Mr. Xi as saying. “China is willing to play a positive role in helping Palestine achieve internal reconciliation and promote peace talks.”

Mr. Xi has been working to burnish his image as a force for global peace in recent months, especially as China has emerged from three years of isolation during the coronavirus pandemic and sought to reassert its position as a major power on the world stage. Mr. Xi has hosted a stream of world leaders this year, including from France, Brazil and Iran. Beijing has suggested that it could play a role in mediating an end to the war in Ukraine , though Western leaders have been skeptical of that claim.

And in perhaps the biggest diplomatic victory for China, it facilitated secret talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March that led to the two countries’ surprise diplomatic rapprochement — a role that analysts said could make Beijing a major power player in the Middle East and challenge the United States’ longtime influence there.

Of course, settling the seemingly intractable conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is a vastly different task than providing mediation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which had already been looking to reduce tensions. China also has strong economic ties with both the Saudis and the Iranians.

China has long been friendly with Palestinian leaders, and this week’s visit by Mr. Abbas is his fifth to the country in his nearly two decades as the Palestinian Authority’s president. China has frequently spoken in support of Palestinian statehood and backed pro-Palestinian positions at the United Nations. On Wednesday, Mr. Xi told Mr. Abbas that China and the Palestinians were “good friends and good partners,” according to the Chinese state media. The two men also announced a strategic partnership between China and the Palestinian Authority.

But China’s relationship with Israel is less robust. And Israel’s alliance with the United States all but ensures that it would be much warier of giving China a role in any negotiations. Israel is already under pressure from Washington to limit Chinese investment in the country.

In that sense, Mr. Xi’s meeting with Mr. Abbas was less about moving toward a resolution of the conflict than about demonstrating China’s intention to be a greater presence in the Middle East going forward, analysts said.

“China should be and will be quite cautious — so many superpowers squandered their resources, time, energy” in protracted conflicts in the region, said Da Wei, a professor of international relations at Tsinghua University in Beijing. “But I do think China wants to be more proactive in areas like the Middle East.”

He continued, “We can say this is a learning process for China: China is learning to be a major power in that region, or a power in the world. And if you want to play a role on the world stage, obviously, the Middle East is one of the regions.”

Indeed, China has generally been ramping up its engagement in the Middle East. Mr. Xi visited Saudi Arabia in December. China and Saudi Arabia have also been deepening investment ties , and Saudi officials have bluntly dismissed concerns that their growing relationship with Beijing could cause problems with the United States.

Chinese state media outlets had talked up the possibility of a breakthrough on Israel and the Palestinian leadership. But in the Middle East, the latest proposal did not raise many hopes.

“Against the backdrop of a wave of reconciliation in the Middle East, there is great anticipation for whether this visit will bring more hope for peace in the region,” an editorial in Global Times , a Chinese Communist Party tabloid, said on Tuesday. It also accused Washington of being “deeply culpable” in the Palestinian issue.

China has offered to mediate relations between the Israelis and the Palestinians before, including in 2013, 2017 and 2021. Mr. Xi’s three-part plan on Wednesday did not appear to deviate much from prior proposals. It included the creation of a fully sovereign Palestinian state, based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital; a call for increased international aid to a Palestinian state; and the convening of a “larger, more authoritative, more influential international peace conference” to promote talks, though the plan did not offer details.

After peace negotiations collapsed in 2014, there appears to be little chance of their near-future resumption, with or without Chinese involvement: Both Israelis and Palestinians are deeply divided and cannot agree among themselves about how to approach the conflict, let alone find common ground with the other side. Israel’s current government is its most right-wing ever, few of its members support the concept of Palestinian sovereignty, and Chinese intervention is unlikely to change that.

Still, China’s role in brokering the Saudi-Iran deal, and its growing global stature generally, have changed the stakes of its potential involvement, said Robert Mogielnicki, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, who has studied Chinese-Middle East relations. China’s past involvement in the region has been primarily economic, he said; now, Beijing is signaling that it is “graduating” from that level of support.

“The particular context of what many people perceive as a shifting global order potentially gives more significance to this visit,” he said.

Patrick Kingsley and Hiba Yazbek contributed reporting, and Joy Dong and John Liu contributed research.

Vivian Wang is a China correspondent based in Beijing, where she writes about how the country's global rise and ambitions are shaping the daily lives of its people. More about Vivian Wang

Palestinian President Abbas to visit China after mediation offer

Abbas will pay a state visit to China following’s XI’s pledge to ‘work for an early, just and durable solution to the Palestinian issue’.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will make a state visit to China next week after Beijing expressed readiness to help facilitate Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

“At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, president of the state of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas will pay a state visit to China from June 13 to 16,” China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Friday.

Keep reading

Investigating china’s secret overseas stations, asia security summit begins amid us-china tensions, cia chief made secret trip to china amid tensions: us official.

Another ministry official, Wang Wenbin, told a regular briefing later in the day that Abbas was an “old and good friend of the Chinese people”.

“He is the first Arab head of state received by China this year, fully embodying the high level of China-Palestine good relations, which have traditionally been friendly,” he said, adding that “China has always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights.”

In December last year, President Xi visited Saudi Arabia on an Arab outreach visit that also saw him meet Abbas and pledge to “work for an early, just and durable solution to the Palestinian issue”.

In April, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang told his Israeli and Palestinian counterparts that his country was willing to aid peace negotiations, Xinhua reported.

The report added that Qin told Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki that Beijing supports the resumption of talks as soon as possible and pushes for implementing a “two-state solution”.

China’s role in the Middle East

Beijing has positioned itself as a mediator in the Middle East, a region where the United States has, for decades, been the main powerbroker.

In March, it brokered the restoration of ties between longtime Gulf rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia, which some analysts saw as a broader sign of a “changing global order” .

Its efforts have drawn rebukes from Washington.

During a trip to Saudi Arabia this week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Riyadh was not being forced to choose between Washington and Beijing, striking a conciliatory tone following tensions with the longtime ally.

Blinken has also this week sought to mediate Israeli-Palestinian tension, urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to undermine prospects for a Palestinian state.

Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations have been stalled since 2014.

Palestinian president to visit China next week

Beijing (AFP) – Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas will make a state visit to China next week, Beijing said Friday, after China expressed readiness to help facilitate Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Issued on: 09/06/2023 - 11:08 Modified: 09/06/2023 - 11:06

Beijing has positioned itself as a mediator in the Middle East, brokering the restoration of ties in March between Iran and Saudi Arabia -- rivals in a region where the United States has for decades been the main powerbroker.

"At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, president of the state of Palestine Mahmud Abbas will pay a state visit to China from June 13 to 16," foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Friday.

"He is the first Arab head of state received by China this year, fully embodying the high level of China-Palestine good relations, which have traditionally been friendly," ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a regular briefing later.

Abbas is an "old and good friend of the Chinese people", he added.

"China has always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights."

Beijing has sought to boost its ties to the Middle East, challenging long-standing US influence there -- efforts that have drawn rebukes from Washington.

Xi last December visited Saudi Arabia on an Arab outreach visit that also saw him meet with Abbas and pledge to "work for an early, just and durable solution to the Palestinian issue".

And during a trip to Riyadh this week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Saudi Arabia was not being forced to choose between Washington and Beijing, striking a conciliatory tone following tensions with the long-time ally.

Blinken has also this week sought to mediate Israel-Palestinian tension, urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to undermine prospects for a Palestinian state.

Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations have been stalled since 2014.

In April, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang told his Israeli and Palestinian counterparts that his country was willing to aid peace negotiations, Xinhua reported.

And Qin told Palestinian foreign minister Riyad Al-Maliki that Beijing supports the resumption of talks as soon as possible, according to the state news agency.

In both calls Qin emphasised China's push for peace talks on the basis of implementing a "two-state solution".

"The Palestinian issue is the core of the Middle East issue. It bears on peace and stability in the Middle East and on international fairness and justice."

The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore.

Take the Quiz: Find the Best State for You »

What's the best state for you ».

Palestinian President Abbas Begins China Visit as Beijing Seeks Larger Role in Mideast

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has begun a visit to China that comes as Beijing is seeking a larger role in Mideast politics and competing for energy resources

FILE - In this photo provided by Saudi Press Agency, SPA, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attends the Arab summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on May 19, 2023. Abbas began a visit to China on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 that comes as Beijing is seeking a larger role in Mideast politics and competing for energy resources. (Saudi Press Agency via AP)

BEIJING (AP) — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas began a visit to China on Tuesday that comes as Beijing is seeking a larger role in Middle East politics and competing for energy resources.

In announcing the visit, China’s Foreign Ministry said China was willing to help broker relations between the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government that have deteriorated to the lowest level in recent years. The ministry did not say who Abbas would meet in Beijing or give other details of his four-day visit.

Increased fighting over the last year between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank has resulted in the deadliest period of violence between the sides in years in that territory.

The visit also comes after China hosted talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia that resulted in the two restoring diplomatic relations.

That development was seen as representing a diplomatic victory for China as Gulf Arab states perceive the United States slowly withdrawing from the wider region.

But it remains to be seen how far the reconciliation efforts between Iran and Saudi Arabia will progress. The rivalry dates to the 1979 revolution that toppled Iran’s Western-backed monarchy, and in recent years the two countries have backed rival armed groups and political factions across the region.

Photos You Should See - April 2024

State broadcaster CCTV quoted Foreign Minister Qin Gang as saying that "China supports the resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel as soon as possible on the basis of the ‘two-state solution,’ and is willing to play an active role in this regard."

Copyright 2023 The  Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation

Tags: Associated Press , politics , world news

America 2024

Best States

Health News Bulletin

Stay informed on the latest news on health and COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report.

Sign in to manage your newsletters »

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

You May Also Like

The 10 worst presidents.

U.S. News Staff Feb. 23, 2024

Cartoons on President Donald Trump

Feb. 1, 2017, at 1:24 p.m.

Photos: Obama Behind the Scenes

April 8, 2022

Photos: Who Supports Joe Biden?

March 11, 2020

QUOTES: Stormy Daniels’ Testimony

Cecelia Smith-Schoenwalder May 7, 2024

Future of the Antisemitism Bill In Doubt

Aneeta Mathur-Ashton May 7, 2024

Biden’s Antisemitism Speech: Takeaways

Laura Mannweiler May 7, 2024

Israel Begins Rafah Strikes

Cecelia Smith-Schoenwalder May 6, 2024

Trump’s Trial Enters New Phase

Lauren Camera May 6, 2024

Judge Threatens Trump With Jail

Laura Mannweiler May 6, 2024

• Politics & Security
• Economy & Business

Palestinian president to visit China next week

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas will make a state visit to China next week, Beijing said Friday, after China expressed readiness to help facilitate Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Beijing has positioned itself as a mediator in the Middle East, brokering the restoration of ties in March between Iran and Saudi Arabia -- rivals in a region where the United States has for decades been the main powerbroker.

"At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, president of the state of Palestine Mahmud Abbas will pay a state visit to China from June 13 to 16," foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Friday.

"He is the first Arab head of state received by China this year, fully embodying the high level of China-Palestine good relations, which have traditionally been friendly," ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a regular briefing later.

Abbas is an "old and good friend of the Chinese people", he added.

"China has always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights."

Beijing has sought to boost its ties to the Middle East, challenging long-standing US influence there -- efforts that have drawn rebukes from Washington.

Xi last December visited Saudi Arabia on an Arab outreach visit that also saw him meet with Abbas and pledge to "work for an early, just and durable solution to the Palestinian issue".

And during a trip to Riyadh this week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Saudi Arabia was not being forced to choose between Washington and Beijing, striking a conciliatory tone following tensions with the long-time ally.

Blinken has also this week sought to mediate Israel-Palestinian tension, urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to undermine prospects for a Palestinian state.

Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations have been stalled since 2014.

In April, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang told his Israeli and Palestinian counterparts that his country was willing to aid peace negotiations, Xinhua reported.

And Qin told Palestinian foreign minister Riyad Al-Maliki that Beijing supports the resumption of talks as soon as possible, according to the state news agency.

In both calls Qin emphasised China's push for peace talks on the basis of implementing a "two-state solution".

"The Palestinian issue is the core of the Middle East issue. It bears on peace and stability in the Middle East and on international fairness and justice."

Sign up for our newsletter

Daily briefing, the takeaway, week in review, business & tech briefing, security briefing, china-middle east briefing, gulf briefing, turkey briefing, israel briefing, palestine briefing, us confrontation with iran’s proxies: live q&a with jared szuba and elizabeth hagedorn.

The Israel-Hamas War: Live Q&A with Amb. David Satterfield (Part 2)

Choose your path to continue reading

Enjoy your complimentary article.

Provide your email and get free access to one article.

Thank you! Check your email to view your article.

You have already accessed your free article. Please consider subscribing to access all of Al-Monitor.

Or get unlimited all-access

Subscribe now to access all Al-Monitor content.

• All News & Analysis
• Memos & Reports
• All Newsletters

Oops! It looks like you already enjoyed your free article

To continue reading Al-Monitor articles, please subscribe.

Search Trends

• Learn Chinese

EXPLORE MORE

DOWNLOAD OUR APP

Copyright © 2023 CGTN. 京ICP备16065310号

Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466

• Terms of use
• Privacy policy

• Palestinian president to visit China
• At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas will pay a state visit to China from June 13 to 16, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying announced Friday.

At a news briefing on Friday, Wang Wenbin, another spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, said that President Abbas is an old and good friend of the Chinese people and the first Arab head of state to be hosted by China this year. "This speaks volumes about the high-level friendly relations between China and Palestine."

Wang said China and Palestine enjoy a traditional friendship, and China is one of the first countries to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization and the State of Palestine.

He said in recent years, thanks to the personal guidance of President Xi and President Abbas, the China-Palestine relations have maintained a good momentum of growth with stronger political mutual trust and deeper friendship between the two peoples.

"China stands ready to work with Palestine to follow through on the common understandings of leaders of the two countries and take the China-Palestine traditional friendship to new heights," Wang added.

The Palestinian question is at the heart of the Middle East issue and matters to the region's peace and stability and global equity and justice, Wang said, adding that "China has all along firmly supported the Palestinian people's just cause of restoring their legitimate national rights."

The spokesperson said for 10 consecutive years, President Xi has sent congratulatory messages to the special commemorative meeting in observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, and more than once he put forward China's proposals for resolving the Palestinian question, stressing the need to resolutely advance a political settlement based on the two-state solution and intensify international efforts for peace.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China will continue to work with the international community for a comprehensive, just and enduring solution to the Palestinian question at an early date, said Wang.

Go to Forum >> 0 Comment(s)

Add your comments....

• User Name Required
• Your Comment

News Briefs

• IDF & Security
• “Peace” Process / Normalization / Abraham Accords
• Settlements
• Judea & Samaria
• Sovereignty
• Aliyah / Geulah
• The Knesset
• The Temple Mount
• Boycott / BDS
• Religious & Secular in Israel
• Israeli Arabs
• #EyalGiladNaftali
• Rockets from Gaza
• Eye on “Palestine”
• Fayyad Plan
• Palestinian Authority
• Islamic Jihad
• Submit an Article
• The Siruv List
• Support Jewish Journalism
• Advertise on The Jewish Press
• Subscribe: Daily Email List
• Classifieds
• Print Subscriptions

Foreign Ministry: 2-State ‘Solution’ = Reward to Hamas for Murder

London Mayor Khan Says There Must Be Equally Strong Criticism of Hamas and Netanyahu

Israeli Farmers Ordered Not to Till Fields Near Gaza Border

US Report on Israeli ‘Violations’ Will Not Be Released on Wednesday as Promised

Israel news talk radio.

Pull Up A Chair – 2May2024 [audio]

Fight for Jewish Survival – The Jay Shapiro Show [audio]

Bring them home.

Aliyah Commandos: President Herzog – It Isn’t Enough to Say “We Hear You”

Jonathan Pollard’s Warning to American Jewry

Yishai fleisher show.

Poison Ivy Leauge

Baking the Matzah of Victory

Goldstein on gelt.

Goldstein on Gelt: The 6-Step Checklist Every Investor Needs to Use

• News & Views
• Eye on "Palestine"

Mahmoud Abbas to Make Official Visit to China

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who is currently in the 19th year of his 4-year term, is scheduled to make a “state visit” to China this week.

“President of the state of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas will pay a state visit to China from June 13 to 16,” said China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying on Friday.

According to another ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, Abbas will be the “first Arab head of state received by China this year, embodying the high level of China-Palestine good relations, which have traditionally been friendly.”

The invitation comes as Beijing attempts to position itself as a mediator in the Israeli-“Palestinian” conflict—in December of last year, Xi met with Abbas in Saudi Arabia, saying that Beijing would continue to work on an “early, just and durable solution to the Palestinian issue.”

In March, China also brokered a restoration of ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Beijing recognized the “State of Palestine” in 1988 and established full diplomatic relations at the end of 1989. Diplomatic relations with Israel were established in 1992.

Israel and China maintain strong economic and business ties, participating in March in the first direct talks on a free-trade agreement since November 2019, and the eighth round since 2016. China is Israel’s second-largest trading partner after the United States.

A survey conducted in May for Arab News by YouGov showed that 80% of Palestinian Authority Arab respondents with a clear opinion on the topic expressed support for a Chinese role in Israeli-“Palestinian” peace talks.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Arabs Pushing for Roadmap Leading to ‘Palestinian’ State Within Three Years

Israel’s UN Ambassador Says Organization’s ‘Days are Numbered’

Palestinian Authority’s ‘Al Fatah’ Terror Brigade Announces Return to Suicide Bombings

Israel Succumbs to US Pressure, Reopens Kerem Shalom Crossing Despite Continued Hamas Fire

Latest news stories.

Bnai Brith Portugal Remembers the Nun Who Recited Kaddish for a Jewish Man

Kerem Shalom Closed to Humanitarian Aid as At Least 7 Wounded in Hamas Rocket Barrage

State Department: No US-Saudi Defense Pact Without Israel Normalization

Recommended today.

Jerusalem College Offers Safe Haven Programs for US Students Fearing Antisemitism

Israel No Longer Trusts Biden to Broker an Honest Hostage Deal

Sponsored posts.

Unlock Your Future with a Degree from Bar Ilan University

Fasting and Feasting on Zayin Adar

• Dept. of Corrections
• Job Openings
• Subscribe (Email Newsletter)
• Subscriptions ( Print Edition )

Printed from: https://www.jewishpress.com/news/eye-on-palestine/palestinian-authority/mahmoud-abbas-to-make-official-visit-to-china/2023/06/12/

Palestinian President to Visit China

State visit to China by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas begins Tuesday. Jun. 9, 2023. | Photo: Twitter/@Resonant_News

The West and the Majority World - Repression Versus Openn...

by teleSUR/MS

Migration, Trump, Biden and What is to Come

by Jose Cabañas Rodriguez

Get our newsletter delivered directly to your inbox

Beijing has positioned itself as a mediator in regional conflicts in the Middle East.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced Friday that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will visit China next week at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.

RELATED: China Voices Concern Over Destruction of the Kakhovka Dam

"At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, the President of the State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, will pay a state visit to China from June 13-16," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying announced in an official statement.

The Chinese government, which has held separate talks with Israeli and Palestinian diplomats, has expressed its willingness to support Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.

Wang Wenbin, deputy director of the Foreign Ministry's Information Department, said Abbas "is the first Arab head of state received by China this year, fully embodying the high level of good relations between China and Palestine, which have traditionally been friendly." 

China stands ready to work with Palestine to follow through on the common understandings of leaders of the two countries and take the China-Palestine traditional friendship to new heights: Chinese FM https://t.co/ZmeEXpwBG9 pic.twitter.com/eBxmXsBbEW — China Xinhua News (@XHNews) June 9, 2023

"China has always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights," Wang Wenbin added at a briefing today, Friday.

Beijing has positioned itself as a mediator in regional conflicts in the Middle East. In March, it brokered the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, long-time rivals in the Persian Gulf.

According to Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, the Chinese platform for peace negotiations is based on the so-called "two-state solution" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Myanmar & China: 73 Years of Diplomatic Ties, Agreements Signed

China Inaugurates Embassy in Honduras

DR Congo: Satisfaction of President’s Visit to China

Honduran President to Make Official Visit to China

• Comment on facebook ( )
• Comment on teleSUR (0)

Sign In or Register to leave a comment, use the forums and more

Text: A A A Print Politics

Xi elaborates on china's position on palestinian-israeli conflict, ukraine crisis.

Chinese President Xi Jinping outlined China's principled position on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Ukraine crisis when he jointly met the press with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday. 

The prolonged tragedy of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a test for human conscience, and the international community must act, Xi said.

China calls on all parties to work for an immediate, comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza, he said, adding China supports the full membership of Palestine in the United Nations, and supports restoring to Palestine its legitimate national rights and restarting the two-State solution, so as to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.

Xi stressed that China has stated its position on the Ukraine crisis on many occasions.

China did not start the Ukraine crisis, nor is it a party to or a participant in it, Xi said, noting that instead of being an onlooker, China has been playing an important role for peace.

The special representative of the Chinese government on Eurasian affairs is on his third round of shuttle diplomacy, he added.

At the same time, China opposes attempts to use the Ukraine crisis to scapegoat or smear a third country or to stoke a "new Cold War," he said.

Noting that history has proven time and again that at the end of the day, conflicts can only be resolved through negotiation, Xi said that China calls on all parties to resume engagement and dialogue to build mutual trust.

China supports holding at a proper time an international peace conference that is recognized by both Russia and Ukraine and ensures the equal participation of all parties and fair discussions on all peace plans, Xi said.

China supports a balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture in Europe, he said.

Spectacular terraced fields on loess plateau

Xi receives warm welcome upon arrival in Paris

Zemun-Borca Bridge in Serbia showcases friendship between two countries

China regains Thomas & Uber Cup

Xi arrives in Paris for state visit to France

In Numbers: Emerging Trends in Holiday Tourism

Insights | Nobel laureate: China climate policies promote EV success

First batch of images captured by China's Einstein Probe satellite released

Traditional Yingge folk dance staged in Hong Kong

Azalea flowers bloom in mist-shrouded mountain in C China

In Numbers: China's online literature users exceed 500 million

China's Shenzhou-17 astronauts to return to earth on April 30

Zangke River bridge successfully connected in Guizhou

Themed show showcases costumes unearthed from archaeological sites in Beijing

138-year-old pear tree in full blossom in NE China

China's Chang'e-6 lunar probe ready to launch

International Horticultural Exhibition 2024 Chengdu opens to visitors

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge receives over 10 mln vehicles

Olympic flame handover ceremony marks transition from Greece to Paris 2024

World's first cable-stayed bridge in alpine canyon landscape

China successfully launches Shenzhou-18 crewed spaceship

Four swivel bridges rotate into place in Sichuan

Blooming flowers decorate Sayram Lake in Xinjiang

Chinese FM spokesperson refutes western accusation of 'overcapacity'

China's Shenzhou-18 crew members meet press

Zhongguancun Forum to kick off in Beijing

Wisteria flowers enter best viewing season in Beijing

Xi calls on Chongqing to write its chapter in Chinese modernization

China unveils Shenzhou-18 crew for space station mission

China Space Day: Exploring China's Romanticism in Space

China in Diplomat's Eyes: Vibrant Xi'an city in antiquity and modernity

Space Day of China celebrated with exhibitions

Lhasa welcomes peak tourism season

Second phase of the 135th Canton Fair opens in Guangzhou

In Numbers: Reading in the digital age

Qingdao illuminated in celebration of 75th founding anniversary of Chinese PLA navy

Most popular in 24h, more top news.

• 295 million domestic trips made across China during May Day holiday
• Asia's manufacturing PMI sustains moderate recovery in April
• China's economic momentum: ZGC Forum and Canton Fair highlights
• Travel, consumption give a boost to tourism sector during holiday
• Central gov't launches drive to identify, help low-income families

Seasons Through Birds' Eyes | Lixia

Insights丨Erik Solheim: China's industrial ecosystem and highly-educated working class promote strong economic growth

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

China’s Xi Jinping to head for Serbia on second day of Europe visit – as it happened

Chinese premier has lunch with Emmanuel Macron before heading to Serbia on his closely watched trip to Europe. This live blog is closed

• 23h ago Summary of the day
• 1d ago Centre-right criticises attendance at Putin inauguration
• 1d ago Far-right German MEP's office searched
• 1d ago MEPs call for Georgia's candidate status to be suspended
• 1d ago Bugging devices found in Polish government room
• 1d ago What is the purpose of Xi's visit?
• 1d ago Welcome to the blog
• 1d ago Xi begins second day of Europe visit

Xi begins second day of Europe visit

Xi Jinping , the Chinese president, is beginning the second day of his closely-watched trip to Europe.

He will have lunch with the French president, Emmanuel Macron , before heading to Serbia .

Summary of the day

Xi Jinping , the Chinese president, had lunch with France’s Emmanuel Macron , as part of his ongoing visit to Europe.

The leaders met in the Pyrenees. Xi said he would give the ham some publicity and also praised the cheese.

Earlier, Xi and Macron called for a ceasefire in Gaza and for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to a statement published by the Chinese government.

Xi also voiced his support for Palestine becoming a full member of the United Nations.

The Chinese leader hit out against Nato over the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Serbia, when three people died in 1999 after a US strike accidentally hit the compound during Nato’s air campaign against Serb forces occupying Kosovo.

In a letter to Serbian website Politika ahead of his visit to Serbia, Xi said China should “never forget” the bombing which killed three Chinese journalists.

Polish services have found and dismantled bugging devices in a room where the council of ministers was scheduled to meet today.

Authorities searched the European parliament office of Maximilian Krah , the Alternative for Germany party’s top candidate in the European elections.

A group of members of the European parliament has asked for Georgia’s EU candidate status to be “suspended without any further progress in the accession process.”

Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, greeted Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, at the airport and took them to lunch high up in the Pyrenees, Reuters reported.

They watched traditional dancers perform under the snowy peaks and then ate locally grown ham, lamb, cheese and blueberry pie. Xi said he would give the ham some publicity and also praised the cheese.

Reuters reported that the French president gifted his Chinese counterpart a woollen blanket made in the Pyrenees, a Tour de France jersey and armagnac from the nearby southwestern region. The brandy is at risk of Chinese trade sanctions.

Centre-right criticises attendance at Putin inauguration

Michael Gahler , the centre-right European People’s party spokesperson for foreign affairs, has criticised a handful of EU countries which chose to send representatives to Vladimir Putin’s inauguration.

It is extremely regrettable that France, Hungary, Slovakia, Greece, Cyprus and Malta chose to attend the inauguration of a war criminal in the Kremlin. Putin is an illegitimate president after a travesty of an “electoral” process, that falls short of any democratic standards — Michael Gahler (@gahler_michael) May 7, 2024

Far-right German MEP's office searched

Authorities today searched the European parliament office of Maximilian Krah , the Alternative for Germany party’s top candidate in the European elections, the Associated Press reported.

Krah, who has been under scrutiny after one of his assistants was arrested last month on suspicion of spying for China , has denied any wrongdoing and dismissed his assistant after he was detained.

Speaking at the Global Solutions Summit in Berlin today, the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz , said “it is clear that China , as one of the largest creditors, must play a greater role overall in order to reduce the debt burden of the poorest countries in the long term,” Reuters reported.

China hacked UK ministry: report

The Chinese state has hacked the British ministry of defence, Sky News reported this morning.

The cyberattack was on a payroll system with current service personnel and some veterans, it said.

China’s foreign ministry, meanwhile, said it “firmly opposes and fights all forms of cyber attacks” and “rejects the use of this issue politically to smear other countries”.

Rishi Sunak , the British prime minister, said a “malign actor” has probably compromised the UK armed forces’ payments system, Reuters reported.

“There are indications that a malign actor has compromised the armed forces payment network,” Sunak told reporters. “I do want to reassure people that the Ministry of Defence has already taken the action of removing the network offline and making sure that people affected are supported in the right way.”

Ursula von der Leyen , the European Commission president and lead candidate of the centre-right European People’s party, is out campaigning in Poland today.

“It’s about building broad coalitions to tackle common challenges and make sure that the centre holds firm against the extremes. And about getting the vote out and getting young people mobilised,” she said in a meeting with Donald Tusk , the Polish prime minister.

Poland is back. Dear @donaldtusk , we can draw lessons from your electoral success. It’s about building broad coalitions to tackle common challenges and make sure that the centre holds firm against the extremes. And about getting the vote out and getting young people mobilised. pic.twitter.com/WCXBIOEGo9 — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen_epp) May 7, 2024

MEPs call for Georgia's candidate status to be suspended

The move comes after a violent police crackdown on pro-western protesters in Georgia, who had raised concerns about a controversial “foreign agents” bill.

#MEPs call the behaviour of the Georgian authorities and the leading party Georgian Dream as contrary to the obligations of an EU candidate country. Therefore MEPs request suspension of #Georgia ’s candidate status without any further progress in the accession process. pic.twitter.com/9fwsq1Ur07 — Petras Austrevicius (@petras_petras) May 7, 2024

Xi Jinping and Emmanuel Macron called for a ceasefire in Gaza and for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to a statement published by the Chinese government.

The two leaders are travelling to the Hautes-Pyrénées today after meeting in Paris with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen , on Monday.

Bugging devices found in Polish government room

Polish services have found and dismantled bugging devices in a room where the council of ministers was scheduled to meet today, Reuters reported.

“The State Protection Service, in cooperation with the Internal Security Agency, detected and dismantled devices that could be used for eavesdropping in the room where the meeting of the Council of Ministers is to be held today in Katowice”, Jacek Dobrzyński , the special services coordinator’s spokesperson, wrote on social media.

“The services are carrying out further activities in this matter,” Dobrzyński added.

Służba Ochrony Państwa we współpracy z Agencją Bezpieczeństwa Wewnętrznego wykryła i zdemontowała urządzenia mogące służyć do podsłuchu w sali gdzie dziś w Katowicach ma odbyć się posiedzenie Rady Ministrów. Służby prowadzą dalsze czynności w tej sprawie pic.twitter.com/OOdZPSiifU — Jacek Dobrzyński (@JacekDobrzynski) May 7, 2024

The Chinese president, Xi Jinping , has hit out against Nato over the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Serbia , when three people died in 1999 after a US strike accidentally hit the compound during Nato’s air campaign against Serb forces occupying Kosovo.

In a letter to Serbian website Politika ahead of his visit to Serbia on Tuesday, Xi said China should “never forget” the bombing which killed three Chinese journalists.

25 years ago, Nato flagrantly bombed the Chinese embassy in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, killing 3 Chinese journalists, namely Shao Yunhuan, Xu Singhu and his wife Zhu Ying. We must never forget this. The Chinese people value peace, but they will never allow a historical tragedy to repeat itself. The friendship between China and Serbia, which is soaked in the shared blood of the two nations, has become the common memory of the two nations and will encourage both sides to take big steps forward together.

In his lengthy letter, Xi pledged to “expand the comprehensive strategic partnership” with Serbia and commended president Aleksandar Vučić for “preserving national sovereignty” and “opposing the interference of any force in Serbian internal affairs”.

What is the purpose of Xi's visit?

Officially, Xi’s visit to Paris is to mark 60 years since diplomatic relations were established between France and China: France was the first western country to formally recognise the People’s Republic of China, on 27 January 1964.

His visit to Belgrade coincides with the 25th anniversary of the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Serbia , when three people died after a US strike accidentally hit the compound during Nato’s air campaign against Serb forces occupying Kosovo.

In Serbia , where China is the biggest single source of inward investment, he will hope to play up Beijing’s anti-US, anti-Nato agenda – one reason why China has maintained its support for Russia since its invasion of Ukraine.

In Hungary, Xi will underline the close economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries, including in security cooperation, and discuss progress on China’s belt and road initiative , which includes a high-speed Budapest-Belgrade rail link.

Hungary, a vocal supporter of China that has blocked some EU motions criticising Beijing on human rights, has Huawei’s largest base outside China and will soon host the carmaker BYD’s first European factory.

Read the full story here .

A joint press conference by Xi Jinping and Emmanuel Macron after talks on the first day of the visit glossed over the thorny question of trade relations between their two countries.

A bottle of exclusive Louis XIII cognac was among the gifts Macron gave Xi, a nod to Beijing opening an anti-dumping investigation into French cognac.

Macron praised his counterpart for his “open attitude” towards the inquiry and added France hoped its products could continue having access to the Chinese market.

Earlier, the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen , said she was “convinced that if the competition is fair” from China, then Europe “will have thriving durable economies”.

But she said the “imbalances” caused by state support for Chinese industry leading to cut-cost products threatened jobs in Europe, and that was “a matter of great concern”.

“Europe will not waver from making tough decisions needed to protect its economy and security,” she said.

Read the full story here , from Lisa O’Carroll and Kim Willsher

Welcome to the blog

Good morning and welcome to the blog.

Send tips and comments to [email protected].

• Europe live

Most viewed

• Middle East
• Eastern Europe
• Southeast Asia
• Central Asia
• International Law
• New Social Compact
• Green Planet
• Urban Development
• African Renaissance
• Video & Podcasts
• Science & Technology
• Intelligence
• Energy News
• Environment
• Health & Wellness
• Arts & Culture
• Travel & Leisure
• Hotels & Resorts
• Publications
• Advisory Board
• Write for Us

For too long, the plight of Palestinians has been relegated to occasional headlines, quickly overshadowed by other news. The complexity of the situation, coupled with passionate voices on both sides, often led to apathy or neutrality among Western audiences. However, recent events have shattered this indifference, thrusting the suffering of the Palestinian people into the spotlight and igniting a global call for justice.

Since October 2023, the conflict in Palestine has garnered unprecedented attention, thanks in part to fearless reporting from organizations like Al Jazeera and courageous Palestinian journalists on the ground. The relentless media coverage has exposed the harsh realities faced by Palestinians in Gaza and beyond, prompting a profound shift in public perception. At Action For Humanity, a leading NGO working in Gaza and influencing policymakers in the United Kingdom, recent polling conducted by YouGov has revealed a remarkable change in public opinion. A whopping 56 percent of UK citizens now support to halting arms exports to Israel, marking a significant departure from previous attitudes. This newfound awareness and empathy reflects a growing recognition of the human rights abuses perpetrated against Palestinians.

A significant number of of respondents—59 percent—believe that Israel is committing human rights abuses in Gaza, a stark condemnation of the violence and oppression endured by the Palestinian population. The tragic killing of the aid worker World Central Kitchen exacerbated global outrage and condemnation, underscoring the urgent need for accountability and justice. Polling data indicates a shifting tide of public sentiment across the Western world, with increasing support for a ceasefire and calls for peace talks. Even in the United States, traditionally a staunch supporter of Israel, there has been a notable decline in public approval for military assistance to Israel, signaling a growing disillusionment with the status quo.

Despite clear expressions of public opinion, Western Governments have lagged, failing to align with the will of their constituents. This disconnect between politicians and the public is not only morally reprehensible but also politically shortsighted, especially in a year marked by numerous elections worldwide. In the United Kingdom, the Labour Party, poised to potentially form the next Government, has echoed the growing demand to cease arms sales to Israel. A staggering 71 percent of prospective Labour voters demand to end UK Government funding to Israel, reflecting a groundswell of grassroots activism and solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

The recent protests by universities across the USA, including prominent institutions like Harvard, Stanford, University of California, and University of Columbia, have added a new dimension to the global outcry over the Palestinian struggle. What began as student-led demonstrations demanding accountability and justice for Palestinians quickly escalated into a widespread movement, drawing attention to the complicity of academic institutions in perpetuating oppression. From campus walkouts to divestment campaigns, students are leveraging their voices and platforms to challenge institutional silence and demand action. Such protests reflect a growing realization among young people that they have a moral obligation to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and hold their institutions accountable for complicity in human rights abuses. Nations like Pakistan have expressed solidarity with victims of Gaza Genocide besides reiterating their principal stance of “The State Solution”

However, the response from some quarters has been deeply troubling, with university administrations, including those at Harvard, Stanford, University of California, and University of Columbia, resorting to heavy-handed tactics to suppress dissent. Reports of student activists facing harassment, intimidation, and disciplinary action have raised concerns about the erosion of free speech and academic freedom on campus. This crackdown not only undermines the fundamental rights of students but also underscores the lengths to which institutions will go to silence voices of dissent. As tensions continue to escalate, there is a pressing need for dialogue and engagement to address the root causes of the conflict and create spaces for constructive discourse and advocacy.

For decades, Western states have enabled human rights abuses against Palestinians through their complicity and indifference. However, the events of recent months have shattered the veil of ignorance, revealing the stark reality of life under occupation. The global outcry against the atrocities in Gaza reflects a fundamental belief in peace, justice, and human dignity.

In this new era of heightened awareness, the voices of Palestinians resonate louder than ever before, amplifying calls for accountability and justice. The moral imperative to stand with the oppressed has never been clearer, as individuals and communities around the world unite in solidarity. This awakening is not just a moment in time but a catalyst for lasting change, inspiring collective action and a renewed commitment to human rights for all. The spark has ignited the light and let this light illuminates the human conscience around the globe.

• Human Rights

Chinese President’s Europe Visit

Tigray’s struggle for peace and justice in a troubled landscape, could israeli nuclear deterrence protect against iranian non-nuclear attacks, russia’s gazprom to support africa despite financial losses, ‘may day’ holiday to give a significant boost in china’s economic resilience.

• Cookie Policy (EU)

MD does not stand behind any specific agenda, narrative, or school of thought. We aim to expose all ideas, thinkers, and arguments to the light and see what remains valid and sound.

• Fine Living

© 2023 moderndiplomacy.eu. All Rights Reserved.

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Putin announces plans to visit China in May

FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a cabinet meeting via videoconference at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Putin said he plans to visit China in May, in what could become the first foreign trip for the Russian leader after he extended his rule by six more years in an election that offered voters little real choice. Putin’s inauguration is scheduled for May 7. (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)

• Copy Link copied

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he plans to visit China in May, in what could become the first foreign trip for the Russian leader after he extended his rule by six more years in an election that offered voters little real choice.

Putin announced the plans for the visit at a congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in Moscow. He didn’t say when exactly it would take place and didn’t offer any other details.

Putin’s inauguration is scheduled for May 7, Russian lawmakers said earlier this week. Last month, the 71-year-old Russian leader secured his fifth term in office in a vote with no real opposition, extending his 24-year rule.

Russia’s growing economic and diplomatic isolation because of its war against Ukraine has made it increasingly reliant on China, its former rival for leadership of the Communist bloc during the Cold War.

According to a recent U.S. assessment , China has surged sales to Russia of machine tools, microelectronics and other technology that Moscow in turn is using to produce missiles, tanks, aircraft and other weaponry for use in the conflict.

China has repeatedly said it isn’t providing Russia with arms or military assistance, although it has maintained robust economic connections with Moscow.

Beijing has not provided direct lethal military support for Russia and has sought to project itself as neutral in the Ukraine conflict. It has refused to condemn Moscow’s actions and declared in 2022 that it had a “no-limits” friendship with Russia. The country has denounced Western sanctions against Moscow, and accused NATO and the United States of provoking Putin’s invasion.

China has also proposed a peace plan that was largely dismissed by Ukraine’s allies, who insisted that Moscow must withdraw its forces from the neighboring country as a condition for peace.

Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine