Chinese President Hu Jintao and
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas agreed during their talks on
Wednesday afternoon to jointly develop all-round friendly
cooperation between the two countries, and actively support the
Middle East peace process.
During their talks in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on
Wednesday afternoon, Hu and Abbas exchanged views on bilateral
relations and issues concerning the Middle East.
Hu said the Chinese people and government would always firmly
support the just cause of the Palestinian people. It is the
existing policy of the Chinese government to develop a long-term,
friendly and cooperative relationship with Palestine, Hu
said.
The Chinese president set forth several suggestions for further
expansion of bilateral links. On the political front, Hu said China
and Palestine should promote friendly contact on all levels and
through visits by high-ranking officials and exchanges between
political parties.
On the economic front, the two countries should jointly explore new
ways and means of expanding mutually beneficial cooperation, Hu
said. He added that the two sides should further extend the area
and scale of their economic cooperation so as to bring about
substantial benefits to the people of both countries.
Hu also said the two countries should step up exchanges and
cooperation in the fields of culture, education and public health.
The two countries should also increase human resource exchanges to
enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two
peoples.
Abbas said the Palestine-China friendship has withstood the test of
time despite the ever-changing international situation. He thanked
the Chinese people and government for providing political support
and economic assistance to the Palestinian people in their struggle
for national liberation and independence.
Abbas said that Palestine firmly adheres to a one-China policy and
joins hands with China to advance the growth of bilateral
relations. He expressed the wish that the two countries should
intensify high-level communications, enhance political dialogue and
expand cooperation in various fields.
Abbas also hopes that the signing of cooperative documents between
the two countries will create more favorable conditions in trade
and economic cooperation.
Hu noted that China is one of the first countries that lent support
to the Palestine National Liberation Movement and recognized the
state of Palestine.
Hu thanked Palestine for its firm and consistent support of China's
reunification plans and its efforts to promote friendly relations
between China and Arab countries.
On the Middle East issue, Hu said the Palestine-Israel issue must
be resolved through political consultation on the basis of the
"land for peace" principle and relevant UN resolutions. The parties
concerned should revisit the "road map" plan as soon as possible
and establish an independent state of Palestine at the earliest
possible date.
Although there are still many challenges ahead in the quest for
peace, Abbas said Palestine will firmly go along the path of peace
talks and reconciliation with Israel. He is confident that an
independent state of Palestine will be established, and that a
peaceful coexistence with Israel will be achieved, thereby
realizing lasting peace in the Middle East.
After the talks, Hu and Abbas attended the signing ceremony of five
documents on cooperation between the two countries, including the
agreement on bilateral economic and technological
cooperation.
(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2005)