On Tuesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed that representatives of Hamas and Fatah had recently met in Beijing to engage in an in-depth and sincere dialogue on Palestinian reconciliation. According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian, both sides expressed their political will to achieve reconciliation through dialogue and consultations and explored specific issues. The negotiations resulted in positive progress and an agreement to continue the dialogue process with the aim of realizing the unity of the Palestinian people as quickly as possible. Both sides also welcomed China’s support for the just cause of the Palestinian people and thanked China for its efforts to promote Palestinian unity.
Arab media reported the arrival of the delegations last weekend, noting that China had invited them to meet in Beijing. This meeting follows a previous one in Moscow in March, where both factions agreed to continue their dialogue to achieve national unity within the framework of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas recently changed the government of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) as part of efforts to reform it and establish control in Gaza after the conflict ends.
China has a long history of acting as a mediator in conflicts in the region, such as facilitating an agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore diplomatic relations. The ongoing mediation effort by China reflects a broader diplomatic push to support Palestinian unity and reconciliation. With both Hamas and Fatah divided since 2007 when Hamas expelled Fatah from Gaza after winning elections there, this meeting represents a significant step towards resolving one of Israel’s most contentious issues with its Arab neighbors.
