China inks ‘strategic partnership’ with Palestinian Authority because it expands Middle East presence
BEIJING — China mentioned Wednesday that it established a “strategic partnership” with the Palestinian Authority throughout a go to to Beijing by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The announcement marked one other step in China’s marketing campaign to achieve political and financial affect within the Middle East, the place it’s competing with the United States.
China is looking for vitality sources and markets for its army and civilian exports whereas additionally selling its model of authoritarian authorities as a part of joint problem with Russia to the Western-led democratic world order.
Beijing has lengthy maintained diplomatic ties with the Palestinian Authority, and it appointed a particular envoy to satisfy with Israeli and Palestinian officers. But its expertise within the area is principally restricted to building, manufacturing and different financial tasks.
Abbas was welcomed with full army honors on the Great Hall of the People in China‘s capital.
“We are good friends and partners,” Chinese President Xi Jinping, who’s head of the ruling Communist Party, instructed Abbas at the beginning of their assembly. “We have always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights.”
“China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Palestinian side to promote a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue as soon as possible,” he mentioned.
Xi referred to as the strategic partnership an “important milestone in the history of bilateral relations,” however its monetary particulars weren’t instantly disclosed.
Abbas mentioned his administration was “looking forward to strengthening cooperation with China within the framework of its initiative” and securing investments.
“We especially appreciate the Chinese side’s commitment to financing a number of development projects presented by Palestine. We wish the speedy dispatch of technical delegations to implement these projects,” he mentioned.
China depends on such partnerships to bolster its diplomatic posture and provides giant Chinese companies a leg up when negotiating infrastructure offers consistent with the federal government’s “Belt and Road Initiative,” which has left many struggling international locations in deep debt to Chinese banks.
China additionally has sought shut ties with Israel to develop its diplomatic presence and to achieve entry to excessive know-how.
Abbas‘ go to follows China‘s internet hosting of talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia that resulted within the restoring of diplomatic relations between the 2 Mideast rivals and boosting China‘s standing within the area.
The Riyadh-Tehran rapprochement is seen as a diplomatic victory for China as Gulf Arab states understand the United States as slowly withdrawing from the broader area.
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