Chinese premier meets with Palestinian president in effort to increase Middle East presence
Jun 15, 2023
Chinese Premier Li Qiang is meeting with visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a drive by Beijing to elevate relations and increase its overall presence in the Middle East
BEIJING (AP) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday in a drive by Beijing to elevate relations and increase its overall presence in the Middle East.
Li, who took office just this spring with little foreign policy experience, called Abbas “an old friend of the Chinese people” who has made “important contributions to the promotion of China-Palestinian relations.”
The meeting came a day after Abbas was greeted with full military honors by Xi Jinping, China’s president and head of the ruling Communist Party.
The sides then announced
the formation of a "strategic partnership,”
paving the way to boost China’s influence in the region at a time when Beijing's chief rival for global influence, the United States, is seen as withdrawing from the region following the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and complications in ties with regional power Saudi Arabia.China, meanwhile, is seeking energy resources and markets for its military and civilian exports while also promoting its version of authoritarian government as part of joint challenge with Russia to the Western-led democratic world order.
Beijing has long maintained diplomatic ties with the Palestinian Authority, and it appointed a special envoy to
meet with Israeli and Palestinian officials
. But its experience in the region is mainly limited to construction, manufacturing and other economic projects.China relies on such partnerships to bolster its diplomatic posture and give large Chinese corporations a leg up when negotiating infrastructure deals in line with the government’s “Belt and Road Initiative,” which has left many struggling countries in deep debt to Chinese banks.
China also has sought close ties with Israel to expand its diplomatic presence and to gain access to high technology.
Abbas’ visit follows China’s hosting of
talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia
that resulted in the restoring of diplomatic relations between the two Mideast rivals and boosting China’s standing in the region.The Riyadh-Tehran rapprochement was seen as a diplomatic victory for China as Gulf Arab states perceive the United States as gradually withdrawing from the wider region.
China has hosted a growing list of world leaders since reopening its borders in the spring after a three-year virtual shutdown due to its extreme “zero-COVID” policy.
Those have included French President Emmanuel Macron and European Comission President Ursula von der Leyen, whose visits sparked controversy over China's pursuit of its campaign to cut off foreign support for self-governing Taiwan and block criticism of its human rights record.
Next week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is
expected to make a visit to Beijing
that was postponed over the presence of an alleged Chinese spy balloon over the U.S. Diplomatic relations between Washington and Beijing are at their lowest in decades over trade, technology, U.S. support for Taiwan and an intensifying competition for influence in Asia and elsewhere.MORE NEWS
How the Zhuhai air show charted China’s path from catching up to flying high
When Zhuhai hosted its inaugural air show in November 1996, the event showcased the J-8IIM fighter, a second-generation fighter equipped with Russian radar and weapons, alongside a limited line-up of home-made aircraft. Imported planes were the focus and Chinese audiences curiously studied the much more advanced foreign designs. They crowded around two Russian fourth-generation Su-27 fighters and were wowed as the jets performed their famous cobra manoeuvre, sharply braking in mid-air. At the...
G20 foreign ministers end Atlanta meeting without consensus on key issues
As Washington seeks to loosen China’s dominance over critical minerals, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged other members of the Group of 20 (G20) to strengthen supply chains and secure strategic trade routes as the group’s foreign ministers’ meeting drew to a close in Atlanta on Saturday. Rubio said there was a “universal recognition” among the G20 members over the importance of issues like critical minerals, supply chain security and freedom of navigation. “The first step is at least some...
Manchester United's Longest Winless Run: A Look Back
Manchester United's woes deepened with a 2-0 loss to Chelsea, stretching their winless run to nine games and leaving them 16th in the Premier League table.
Lakshya Sen Stuns Toma Junior Popov, PV Sindhu Beats Anmol Kharb To Move Into Hylo Open Final
Lakshya Sen avenged his 2025 China Open loss to Toma Junior Popov with a dominant semifinal win, as PV Sindhu outclassed youngster Anmol Kharb to set up another title shot.
Valentin Vacherot Creates Monaco History, Stuns Taylor Fritz To Reach Basel Final
Valentin Vacherot created Monegasque tennis history by stunning sixth seed Taylor Fritz in straight sets to reach the Swiss Indoors Basel final.
Quad not ‘anti-China’, says Rubio as first summit in two years set before Trump-Xi talks
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday that the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or the Quad, was not an “anti-China” coalition, as the grouping’s top diplomats finalised preparations for the leaders’ summit in the Philippines next month. Rubio’s statement comes just weeks before US President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Shenzhen, China. “It is not an anti-China or anti-anybody coalition,” Rubio said at a press conference on the sidelines of the...
Meghalaya minister Metbah Lyngdoh resigns as UDP loses legislators to NPP, BJP
Meghalaya cabinet minister and United Democratic Party (UDP) president Metbah Lyngdoh has resigned amid a series of defections that have sharply weakened his party's strength in the Assembly. The exits include three MLAs who joined the ruling National People's Party and eight others whose merger with the BJP was recognised by the Assembly Speaker.
Court discharges former drug regulator S Eswara Reddy, three others in corruption case
The court found that the call recordings relied on by the prosecution did not attribute criminality to Reddy. None of the accused, it noted, had said in the recordings that Reddy demanded a bribe on any particular day or time to favour Bengaluru-based Biocon Biologics Ltd (BBL).
Centre releases addition instalment of tax devolution of Rs 1.09 lakh crore to states
This is in addition to the regular monthly devolution and the second additional instalment this financial year.
Iran targeted US air defences then hit aircraft and buildings on Mideast bases: AP analysis
An Associated Press analysis of satellite imagery and regional officials' accounts found that Iranian strikes damaged or destroyed structures at 26 US military bases and other sites across the Middle East through August. Iran initially targeted early-warning radars and aircraft infrastructure before hitting warehouses, troop accommodation and other facilities, causing billions of dollars in equipment damage.
Three people killed in Noney in Manipur
KIM alleged that the act was committed by cadres of the NSCN-IM and ZUF(K) terrorist groups. This atrocity is a direct, unprovoked assault on the lives, dignity, and survival of the Kuki-Zo people in their own homeland.
Three people killed in Noney in Manipur
KIM alleged that the act was committed by cadres of the NSCN-IM and ZUF(K) terrorist groups. This atrocity is a direct, unprovoked assault on the lives, dignity, and survival of the Kuki-Zo people in their own homeland.