China supports the political settlement of the Palestinian issue on the basis of the two-state solution, President Xi Jinping said in talks with visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Beijing on Tuesday.

Two-state solution

Chinese President Xi Jinping (center) speaks during a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (not shown) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on July 18, 2017. /Reuters Photo

President Xi said China supports Palestine to build an independent, fully sovereign state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. 

China appeals to the effective implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2334, and urges an immediate halt to Israel's settlement activity on occupied Palestinian territories, Xi said.

Xi said China is willing to participate in and support all efforts that are conducive to a political settlement of the Palestinian issue. China plans to convene a Palestine-Israel peace symposium later this year to contribute wisdom to resolving the issues, he stated.

The Chinese president also stressed that both Palestine and Israel are important partners along the "Belt and Road", and proposed launching a tripartite dialogue mechanism with Palestine and Israel to promote key projects.

Abbas said China can help promote peace and stability in the Middle East and support diplomacy to solve regional problems, adding that Palestine will adhere to the one-China policy.

China-Palestine ties

The two leaders also exchanged views on the bilateral relationship and other issues of common concern. The two sides signed a range of agreements following the presidents' meeting. 

China is assisting Palestine with the construction of more than 40 infrastructure projects. Just last month, the two countries signed a memorandum on building a road link for Ramallah, a city to the north of Jerusalem.

Under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, they plan to step up their cooperation, with Palestine eager for Chinese investment in its agriculture, communications and new energy sectors.

Abbas, on his fourth visit to China, is in Beijing for a four-day state visit.