Beijing, Apr 20 (EFE).- China confirmed on Tuesday that delegates from rival Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah recently met in Beijing for what was described as a “sincere dialog” for reconciliation.
The unity talks, facilitated by China, ended in a willingness for rapprochement through dialog, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters.
“Both sides fully expressed their political will to achieve reconciliation through dialog and consultation and explored a series of specific issues,” said Lin.
He said the talks resulted in “positive progress” and an agreement to “continue the dialog process with the aim of achieving unity among the Palestinian people at an early date.”
Both sides expressed appreciation for China’s support for the Palestinian cause and its efforts to promote unity, the spokesperson added.
Arab media reported last weekend that Hamas and Fatah delegations were in China after Beijing offered to host the meeting.
China has shown interest in mediating to end the war in the Gaza Strip and strongly supports the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
The meeting follows a similar one in Moscow earlier in the year, reflecting ongoing efforts to achieve national unity among Palestinian factions.
In Moscow, the Palestinian groups agreed to continue their dialog within the framework of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), according to a resolution released then.
The structural reform of the Palestinian National Authority, particularly in Gaza, remains a key point of discussion.
It also comes after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas changed the government of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) as part of his efforts to reform it with a technocratic executive that can take control of the Gaza Strip once the war ends.
The structural reform is one of the main demands of the United States so that the PNA can govern the strip, although this does not appear in the plans of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The war in Gaza, which began on Oct. 7 last year, has already killed more than 34,000 and injured more than 77,000 in the Palestinian enclave, which now lies in ruins, portraying a dire humanitarian catastrophe.
China’s involvement in mediating conflicts in the region is not unprecedented. Beijing previously played a key role in facilitating diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia. EFE
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