In the Footsteps of Diplomacy: Mahmoud Abbas Returns Home from China

Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader, has returned to Ramallah after a four-day visit to China. During his visit, Abbas met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and the two leaders issued a joint statement endorsing Beijing’s domestic and foreign policies and repudiating Western concepts of human rights. Abbas also sought economic aid from China and voiced support for Beijing’s repressive policies towards Muslim minorities in the northwestern region of Xinjiang. Palestinian officials in Ramallah described Abbas’ China visit as “the most significant step for the Palestinians since the beginning of the…”. The visit was also significant as China signed a “strategic partnership” with the Palestinian Authority during Abbas’s visit.

Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader, visited China for a four-day state visit. The visit was significant as China is seeking a larger role in Middle East politics and competing for energy resources. During the visit, Abbas met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and the two leaders issued a joint statement endorsing Beijing’s domestic and foreign policies and repudiating Western concepts of human rights. Abbas also sought economic aid from China and voiced support for Beijing’s repressive policies towards Muslim minorities in the northwestern region of Xinjiang. China expressed readiness to help facilitate Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. The visit appears to be an attempt by the Chinese government to build on its successful mediation between Saudi Arabia and Iran and increase its public posture on Middle East issues that have traditionally been dominated by the United States.