IN a significant diplomatic move, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas embarked on his fifth visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. This visit holds historical significance as it not only reinforces the longstanding friendly relations between China and Palestine but also marks the first time China has hosted an Arab head of state in 2023. The primary objective of the visit is to further strengthen the ties between the two nations and potentially elevate them to a new level. President Abbas and President Xi focused their discussions on bilateral cooperation and the pressing issue of Palestine, igniting hope for peace in the region.
The central focus of Abbas’s visit to China revolves around the “Arab Peace Initiative,” which highlights China’s willingness to assume a larger role in resolving the Palestine-Israel conflict. China has been actively advocating for a fair and enduring solution to the Palestinian issue for many years. It has put forth its own ideas and has welcomed negotiators from both sides to engage in direct talks in China. Recent events, such as the meeting between Saudi Arabia and Iran in Beijing, have injected renewed hope for innovative approaches to tackling the Palestinian problem, challenging the prevailing belief that a historic compromise is nearly unattainable.
The Palestinian issue lies at the heart of the problems in the Middle East, with significant implications for peace, stability, and justice in the region and the world. The region has witnessed numerous wars and conflicts that have caused immense harm and suffering. The peace process between Palestine and Israel has been stagnant since 2014, with the Quartet mechanism consisting of the United Nations, the United States, Russia, and the European Union proving ineffective. In 2021, violence escalated, resulting in the loss of countless Palestinian and Israeli lives. It is imperative to accelerate the peace process to gauge the moral compass of the international community.
Regrettably, the United States, known for promoting justice and human rights, has played a negative role in the Palestinian issue. It has obstructed the UN Security Council from addressing the matter and displayed bias, exacerbating the conflict. Former President Trump’s Middle East peace plan was widely criticized as flawed and disgraceful. A recent poll revealed that Palestinians strongly favor Chinese mediation over U.S. involvement, reflecting the public’s yearning for justice.
Some American media outlets have interpreted Abbas’s visit to China as part of the “US-China competition,” suggesting that China’s engagement in the Middle East is driven by broader diplomatic ambitions and a confrontational stance towards the United States. However, these viewpoints fail to acknowledge the significance of peace, stability, fairness, and justice. China’s involvement in the Palestinian issue is motivated by a sense of justice and aims to prevent its marginalization in a complex regional and international landscape. China has consistently proposed solutions and actively mediated between Palestine and Israel, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to resolving the conflict.
China’s actions in the Middle East are guided by its pursuit of global peace and development, which has garnered admiration from nations within and beyond the region. China’s diplomatic goal of creating a future where all nations share common interests resonates with countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran, Russia and Ukraine, and Palestine and Israel, despite their ongoing conflicts. These nations perceive China as a trusted partner and friend, acknowledging its responsible and principled approach to global affairs. President Abbas’s visit is expected to yield positive progress and contribute to peace in the Middle East, aligning with China’s vision of a shared destiny for all nations.
China has unequivocally expressed its support for the just cause of the Palestinian people, emphasizing the restoration of their legitimate national rights and the establishment of an independent and fully sovereign state of Palestine based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Furthermore, China has pledged its support for maintaining the historical status quo of religious sites in Jerusalem, recognizing the sensitivity and importance of the city.
—The writer is a social political analyst, based in Islamabad.
