Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in the People's Republic of China on Tuesday for a three-day official state visit.

During the visit, the president will meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to discuss strengthening ties with Beijing and to exchange views on the latest developments on the Palestinian front. 

Abbas will also discuss regional and international issues of common concern, and meet with a number of other senior Chinese officials.

Abbas Zaki, a member of Fatah's Central Committee who oversees its ties with China, explained that President Abbas' visit will focus on the Arab Peace Initiative launched in 2002 and the "possibility of China playing a greater role with the participation of other parties to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict."

Zaki added that "China has begun to take on a much larger role than in the past in the Middle East region through holding the Arab-Chinese summit and reforming the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran."

President Abbas is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ziyad Abu Amr, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riyad Al-Maliki, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Palestine Investment Fund Muhammad Mustafa, Chief Justice of Palestine, Advisor to the President for Religious Affairs and Islamic Relations Mahmoud Al-Habash, and Advisor to the President for Diplomatic Affairs. Majdi Al-Khalidi, and the Palestinian Ambassador to China, Fariz Mahdawi.