China says it's ready to work toward intra-Palestinian reconciliation

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday that China is ready to provide a platform and create opportunities for Palestinian factions to engage in dialogue for reconciliation.

Lin Jian, spokesperson for the ministry, reiterated that China has always supported reconciliation and unity among Palestinian factions through dialogue and consultations.

Lin made the comments in response to reports that senior officials of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) will meet in Beijing over the upcoming weekend.

China will release relevant, specific information in due course, the spokesperson said.

Lin said China and the relevant Palestinian parties are working toward the same end and that Beijing is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with all parties to secure intra-Palestinian reconciliation.

The Palestinian rivals, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah and Gaza's governing authority Hamas, held talks in Beijing in April, and both sides had an in-depth and candid dialogue on promoting Palestinian reconciliation.

"The two sides fully expressed their political will of realizing reconciliation through dialogue and consultation, had discussions on many specific issues, and made encouraging progress," read a statement by the ministry following the talks.

Both sides highly appreciated China's firm support for the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights, thanked the Chinese side for its efforts to help strengthen Palestinian internal unity and agreed on ideas for future dialogue, according to the statement.