China welcomes appointment of Palestinian vice president

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday welcomed the appointment of Hussein al-Sheikh as deputy chairman of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and vice president of the State of Palestine.

China firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights, said Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

"We supports all Palestinian factions in increasing solidarity, and supports the Palestinian Authority in enhancing its authority, improving governance, and effectively controlling all of Palestine's territory, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank," he said.

The PLO Central Council decided last Thursday to create the position of vice president of the State of Palestine. Al-Sheikh's appointment marks the first time such a position has been established since the PLO's founding.