Abbas visits China to discuss bilateral ties

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Beijing on Monday on a four-day visit to China to discuss several issues.
The visit comes at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, Chinese Xinhua news agency reported.
Both presidents are expected to hold talks on the latest developments in the Middle East, the current situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and boosting bilateral cooperation.
Abbas said he he will discuss ways of enhancing cooperation in the economic, cultural and infrastructure fields with China and countries involved in Belt and Road Initiative, according to Xinhua.
He pointed out that he will exchange views with his Chinese counterpart on the latest developments in the Middle East crisis, in addition to ways of combating extremism, terrorism and violence
The Palestinian president noted the important political and economic role played by China at regional and international levels.
He explained that his country values the belt and road initiative proposed by Xi Jinping in 2013 with the aim to connect and establish cooperation in trade and infrastructure fields between Eurasian, European and African countries, stressing that Palestine is part of the initiative.
Abbas pointed out to the importance of Xi Jinping's speech to the Arab League during his visit to Cairo in 2016, in which he stressed the need to achieve peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis and support the Palestinian people's demand to drive the Israeli occupation forces out of Palestine and gain freedom and independence.
The Palestinian president confirmed that his country's position is clear on the necessity to implement the two-state solution, which is supported by the international community to end the Israeli occupation, as well as establishing an independent Palestinian state with Al Quds as its capital.
He underlined the importance of implementing the Arab peace initiative adopted by the international community 
In addition, Abbas affirmed his country's rejection of Israeli settlements, stressing that they are illegal and violate all international laws and regulations.
He said that issues such as the Palestinian and refugees issues should be the top proprieties on the negotiating table to find permanent and effective solutions to them.
On the his country's intention to seek permanent membership within the United Nations after gaining a non-permanent membership with an observer state status, he explained that Palestine has the right to complete its full membership in all international organisations and institutions, which serves the best interests of the Palestinian people and cause.

Source: Mena