Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said, "Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is an old and good friend of the Chinese people, and the first Arab head of state hosted by China this year, which says a lot about the high-level friendly relations between China and Palestine."

His remarks came during a press conference held today, Saturday, in response to the official visit that President Mahmoud Abbas will pay to the People's Republic of China, next Tuesday, at the kind invitation of Chinese President Xi Jiping.

"China and Palestine enjoy traditional friendship, and China is one of the first countries to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization and the State of Palestine," Wang said.

He added that over the past years, thanks to the personal guidance of President Xi and President Abbas, China-Palestinian relations have maintained a good momentum of growth with stronger political mutual trust and deeper friendship between the peoples of the two countries, noting that "China is ready to work with Palestine to follow the common understandings between the two heads of state." the two countries, and elevate the traditional friendship between China and Palestine to new levels.

He said, "The Palestinian issue is at the heart of the Middle East issue, and is important for peace and stability in the region, fairness, and justice in the world," adding that "China firmly and permanently supports the just cause of the Palestinian people represented in restoring their legitimate national rights."

And he added, "For ten consecutive years, President Xi has sent congratulatory messages to the special commemorative meeting to celebrate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, and more than once put forward China's proposals for resolving the Palestinian issue, stressing the need to resolutely advance the political settlement, based on the two-state solution, and intensify International efforts for peace.

He added that China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, will continue to work with the international community to find a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue at an early date.