On Tuesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed that representatives of Hamas and the Fatah movement recently met in Beijing to maintain an in-depth and sincere dialogue on Palestinian reconciliation. The meeting was facilitated by China, which had invited both sides to participate.
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. 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.
China has previously acted as a mediator in conflicts in the region, such as facilitating an agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore diplomatic relations. Hamas and Fatah have been divided since 2007 when Hamas expelled Fatah from Gaza after winning elections there. Fatah currently administers the West Bank. This ongoing mediation effort by China reflects a broader diplomatic push to support Palestinian unity and reconciliation.