Xi affirms friendship with Palestine during Abbas' state visit

President Xi Jinping and visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas jointly announced the establishment of a strategic partnership between China and Palestine during their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday.

Abbas arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a four-day state visit.

Xi said China and Palestine are good friends and partners who trust and support each other.

China was one of the earliest countries to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization and the State of Palestine, and has always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights, he said.

Facing an international situation unseen in a century and new changes in the situation of the Middle East, Xi said, China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Palestine to promote a comprehensive, fair and lasting solution to the issue.